The Department of Student Intervention Services (SIS) addresses social emotional barriers to learning by offering programs and initiatives to meet students where they are and help them overcome the obstacles to academic excellence. As an active proponent of Single District Culture, the work of Student Intervention Services focuses on Single School Culture© for Climate.

SIS is dedicated to assisting the schools in creating a safe and drug-free environment that fosters students’ academic achievement. SIS is directly aligned to the District’s mission of excellence in education and preparing all students with knowledge, skills, and ethics required for responsible citizenship and productive employment. Opportunity for academic achievement is the central philosophy of the various programs and initiatives provided by Student Intervention Services. Student Intervention Services offer programs and initiatives that prevent violence in and around schools; prevents the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs; involves parents and community; teaches Character Education, including Ethics; supports the homeless and foster care youth in our schools; and offers teachers and guidance counselors a Tobacco Online Course and a Restoring School Civility Online Course for teachers while receiving in-service points to recertify.

Students who are living in unhealthy environments or making unhealthy choices frequently suffer from poor academics. For example, young people who develop alcohol dependency demonstrate impaired memory, altered perception of spatial relationships, and verbal skill deficiencies; effects that impair their academic achievement (USDHHS, 2003). Young teen mothers are less likely to graduate from high school. Fewer than four in ten (38%) mothers who have a child before they turn 18 have a high school diploma (Child Trends, 2010). Furthermore, homeless children are at high risk for falling behind in school due to their constant mobility. Without an opportunity to receive an education, homeless children are much less likely to acquire the skills they need to escape poverty as adults (National Coalition for the Homeless).

With a focus toward preparing students for responsible citizenship and productive employment, Student Intervention Services champions the prevention of teen pregnancy and substance abuse, teaches about character education, and works with youth faced with challenging times including homelessness and other issues having a negative impact on their achievement.