The mission of STARS: To help young people pursue their unlimited potential by providing hope, health, and connection

STARS (Students Taking A Right Stand) is a student assistance program designed to help students overcome social/emotional barriers to learning. The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is an award-winning, evidence-based program of STARS that addresses social and emotional barriers for youth, such as substance misuse, violence, and bullying. SAP assists students in achieving academic and social success by promoting healthy development, reducing barriers to learning, and building upon strengths. 

SAP counselors:

• Provide school-based prevention, intervention, and aftercare support services to staff, students, and families

• Assist students in achieving academic and social success by promoting healthy development

• Reduce barriers to learning

• Reduce risk factors

• Build upon strengths

• Promote protective factors

• Increase asset development and foster resilience

SAP counselors are on-site in schools throughout the academic school year to provide:

• Prevention education through assemblies and classroom

• Early intervention for students exhibiting problem behaviors

• Counseling to small groups and individuals

• Promotion of health with faculty teams and student leaders

• Links to additional appropriate services in the school and community, such as mental health and substance misuse treatment services

• Attention to students who are at special risk for

  • • • • Substance misuse

        • Teen pregnancy

        • Violence and bullying

        • Academic failure

        • School suspension

        • Dropping out

The Result?

• Increased school attendance and grades

• Increased attachment to school and community

• Increased individual resilience

• Reduced suspensions, expulsions, bullying, violence and substance misuse

Ms. Heathman, our STARS counselor, can be reached at 615-452-2621 xt. 30645 or by email at pamela.heathman@sumnerschools.org. She is available Monday through Friday during regular school hours.

Peer Leaders

In addition to providing support services to students, Ms. Heathman also sponsors the STARS Peer Leaders club at GHS. Peer Leaders are asked to exemplify healthy social-emotional behaviors as supported by the SAP program.

• In keeping with the STARS mission statement, you must be tobacco, alcohol, other drug, and violence-free

• Be in good standing with your school

• Have at least two personal character traits that describe positive leadership or potential positive leadership capabilities

• Be willing to be a positive role model for your peers

• Be willing to speak about STARS and your involvement in the program

• Be willing to take a stand against bullying when you see it

• Be willing to attain and maintain a passing grade in all subjects

• Be willing to maintain appropriate behaviors at school and avoid any detentions, in-school suspensions, and out-of-school suspensions.

• Be willing to maintain a positive presence on social media

• Participate in activities throughout the school year

Peer Leaders participate in educational and prevention programs such as Red Ribbon Week, Suicide Prevention Week, Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, Teens Against Alcohol and Tobacco Use, Prom Promise, and other socially supportive educational activities.

If you are interested in any STARS program, you can see Ms. Heathman in the CTE building across from the CTE Office.