The Peer Assistance and Leadership program at Springtown High School, also known as PALs, is an organization composed of juniors and seniors who are paired with students at Springtown Elementary, Springtown Intermediate and Springtown Middle School.
SHS PAL sponsor Leighann Strickland told the Springtown Epigraph the high school students help younger students they are paired with — their PALs — by becoming friends with them and giving them a safe place to talk. The high school students also tutor and play games with their pals.
Younger students are identified as needing a PAL by their teachers or school counselors. Typically, teachers are given the first six weeks of school to get to know their students and identify their needs, including behavioral or personal challenges. Once students are identified, parental permission is required before they can participate in the program.
