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The Point places staff in Octorara schools, expands student supports
Summary
The Octorara Area School District heard updates from Dwayne Walton of The Point about youth programming placed in district schools, mental health partnerships, food-bank lease stability and hiring of a Point employee into an instructional role.
Dwayne Walton, executive director of The Point, told the Octorara Area School District Board of School Directors on Feb. 17 that his organization has placed staff inside district schools and is supporting students with wraparound services.
The Point, Walton said, has 870 registered students in its programs and maintains relationships that extend “from second grade all the way to after college.” He said the organization helps students with practical needs — including heating oil — and supports six students currently at Thaddeus Stevens. “Every child deserves hope,” Walton said, adding that the Point seeks to provide that hope through close staff relationships and by being a consistent presence in school halls and at events.
Board members and administrators said the partnership is already providing services in several buildings. Walton said Point staff now work in fifth- and sixth-grade settings, the elementary school, and with middle- and high-school students at times. He described mental-health supports the Point funds through outside providers: “Up to the first 10 sessions, we'll pay,” Walton said. He added that if families need more care, the Point will attempt a reduced fee arrangement so students can continue.
District administrators said one Point employee, Nicole Wild, is currently working at the Primary Learning Center (PLC) on check-ins, recess engagement and early childhood activities. In administrative remarks later in the meeting, Elena (administrator) said Wild checks in with about 14 kindergarten–second-grade students once or twice a week and helps run a kindergarten fine-motor group called Finger Gym. The district also announced it is in the process of hiring a Point employee into an instructional assistant position at the high school.
Walton discussed wider programming: scholarships for former students, assemblies with visiting athletes, and a student trip that served a Crow Indian reservation in Montana. He also addressed the Chester County Food Bank, which operates on Point property. Walton said the Point has a lease with the food bank and “we've already committed to them,” adding the organization intends to continue hosting the food bank while space allows.
Why it matters: District leaders described truancy, food insecurity and social-emotional needs as priorities where outside partners can supplement school services. Administrators said Point staff can help identify students who are chronically absent and offer targeted outreach; Walton said the Point has already intervened in some individual cases by helping families with transportation or other logistics.
Board members and the superintendent framed the relationship as long-term. In comments later in the meeting, Dr. Lieber said the Point partnership “is probably the best partnership that could have happened for us,” and praised Point staff for access to students who may not respond to traditional school staff.
The presentation was informational; no formal board action was required to continue the partnership at this meeting. Board members asked that the district schedule a future presentation by the students who traveled to Montana so the board can hear from them directly.
