Five Star Secondary School
Program Overview
5 Star is an educational program that provides behavioral, therapeutic and traditional supports in a caring and structured environment, utilizing positive behavior supports and a strength- based perspective.
The program strives to foster personal growth in students and to assist them with building skills that will enhance their relationships, academic performance and activities of daily living.
We are committed to developing students who are responsible, respectful and contributing members of their communities.
We currently offer five programs: Middle School Specialized Emotional Support, High School Specialized Emotional Support, Life Skills/Emotional Support Program, Middle School Partial Hospitalization Program, High School Partial Hospitalization Program
Partial Hospitalization Program
Licensed by the Department of Public Welfare, the partial hospitalization program (PHP) provides an integrated therapeutic and educational program for children and adolescents in grades 6-12.
Children who attend receive quality individual and group therapy services, as well as individualized education programs. In addition, psychiatric services are provided on-site to prevent placement in more restrictive mental health settings.
The program accepts referrals from parents, community agencies and medical providers.
Program Goals
The overarching goal for the 5 Star program is to provide intensive treatment and supports to students (and their families) for them to gain the skills to be successful in a less restrictive, therapeutic/educational setting and avoid a more restrictive setting.
More specifically, goals of the program include the following:
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Identify, process and self-regulate emotions
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Develop coping skills to manage anxiety, depression and anger
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Increase personal accountability, identify and address thinking errors
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Increase interpersonal communication and social problem solving
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Increase family functioning and coping around the areas of the child’s needs
For More Information
Andra Sauers
Special Education Supervisor
(570) 988-1840 ext. 2711
asauers@csiu.org
Nancy Padula-Bradley
Clinical Coordinator
(570) 988-1840 ext. 5
npadula-bradley@csiu.org
2024-25 5 Star Staff
Administration & Staff
Aya Mohamed
Administrative Assistant
Andra Sauers
Educational Supervisor
Nancy Padula-Bradley
Clinical Coordinator
Partial Hospitalization
Middle School (PHP)
Derek Megargell
Homeroom/Special Education Science Teacher
Jami VanKirk
Classroom Assistant
Heather Harter
Mental Health Support Specialist
Nannette Cooper
Social Worker (LCSW)
High School (PHP)
Jennifer Bowman
Homeroom/Special Education Math Teacher
Jasmin Gross
Classroom Assistant
Nigel Spudes
Mental Health Support Specialist
Julie Lewellyn
Social Worker (LCSW)
Emotional Support (ES)
Middle School (ES)
Sarah Harper
Homeroom/Special EducationLanguage Arts Teacher
Luis Lopez
Classroom Assistant
Michelle Wills
Behavior Intervention Assistant (BIA)
Madeline Davis
Social Worker (LSW)
High School (ES)
Maxwell Wright
Homeroom/Social Studies Teacher
Brad Landau
Classroom Assistant
Brittany Beaver
Behavior Intervention Assistant (BIA)
Jill Snyder
Social Worker (LSW)
High School (ES/LSS)
Jennifer Hodish
Homeroom/Special Education Teacher
Kayla Reinard
Classroom Assistant
Paula Morales
Behavior Intervention Assistant (BIA)
Amy Wehr
Social Worker (LCSW)
Bayada Nurse
LaNeisha Springer
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Agatha Hall
School Police Officer
William Jones
Giving Back to the Community
Caring for Kids
Every week, students from Five Star visit Shikellamy High School to pack food bags for their Backpack Program, which provides essential meals to children in need over the weekend. This hands-on service project not only helps local families but also ensures that our own students have access to the program if they ever need extra support. It's a meaningful way for our students to give back to the community while also fostering a sense of compassion and solidarity among peers.
Window Painting in Downtown Sunbury
Each holiday season, students and staff come together to spread festive cheer by painting vibrant holiday scenes on the windows of downtown Sunbury's local businesses. This joyful tradition not only brightens the storefronts but also lifts the spirits of the entire community, as passersby are greeted with colorful depictions of winter wonderlands, twinkling lights, and seasonal scenes. It’s a fun and creative way for everyone to get into the holiday spirit!
Garden club
Our Garden Club students play a vital role in nurturing the beauty of our Five Star community garden, as well as tending to the vibrant shrubs and flower beds that greet visitors in front of our school. Throughout the year, they bring creativity and care to special projects, like crafting stunning centerpieces for our Thanksgiving gratitude feast and creating festive holiday swags to adorn classroom doors. Their hard work not only enhances our school environment but also fosters a deep connection to nature and a spirit of community.
Our Garden Club students also take pride in growing a variety of fruits and vegetables in the community garden, from juicy tomatoes to crisp lettuce and fragrant herbs. Once the harvest is ready, they roll up their sleeves and join together to prepare delicious dishes using the fresh produce, sharing their culinary creations with the entire school to enjoy. This hands-on experience not only teaches them valuable gardening and cooking skills but also reinforces the importance of sustainable, farm-to-table living.
