Student Services
Counseling Program
The Board of Trustees of Urban Pathways K-5 College Charter School (“Charter School”) believes that a planned program of guidance and counseling is an essential component of the educational offerings in Charter School. Such a program should assist students in developing:
- A better understanding and acceptance of themselves – their strengths and limitations; aptitudes, needs, values, interest, and worth as unique individuals;
- Interpersonal relationships on the basis of mutual respect;
- Increase skills in problem solving and decision making;
- Responsibility for their educational, occupational, and vocational improvement.
In addition, this program should provide staff, parents, and community with needed information for the support objectives.
Charter School’s basic program of counseling and guidance will vary according to the developmental levels and needs of students and include the areas of academic and career development, study skills, preparation for tests, interpersonal relations, decision making, and conflict resolution. Implementation of program objectives shall be accomplished through needed, individual and/or group activities.
Specific objectives shall include:
- Assisting students in solving educational problems;
- Planning for appropriate career choices and preparation;
- Assisting with personal problems such as financial and medical;
- Assisting administrators and teachers in planning educational programs for students with special needs;
- Serving as consultants to staff and parents in:
- Using effective crisis intervention strategies and techniques;
- Demonstrating how family relationships affect individual student behavior and learning;
- Making appropriate use of community resources
- Interpreting tests and surveys for students and
The Principal is authorized to direct, evaluate, and continually improve a program of counseling and guidance.
If you are interested in counseling services in the school or community setting please contact the school counselors at 412-325-4075.
Student Assistance Program
This program is available to offer supportive services to students experiencing academic, behavioral, attendance and/or emotional difficulties that may pose barriers to optimal school success. Students can be referred to SAP by parents/guardians, school personnel, or self-referrals. The SAP team is composed of specially trained teachers, administrators, and the school counselor and behavior specialist. The goal of the SAP team is to work with the parent/guardian of the student in need of additional services, and to offer support and recommendations for the student. When the barriers are beyond what the school can help with, the team can provide families with information on outside community resources.
Crisis Prevention
In the event of a crisis, a team of professional school personnel is available to provide short-term counseling and support to students, parents, and school staff.
Special Education
Special education is the individually planned and systematically monitoring arrangement of teaching procedures, adapted equipment and materials, accessible settings, and other interventions designed to help learners with special needs achieve the greatest possible personal self-sufficiency and success in school and community.
Our special education program provides a continuum of services to students with special needs who require specially designed instruction which include but are not limited to learning support, emotional support and speech and language support. A certified special education teacher supports students within the general education classes by collaborating and/or co-teaching with the general education
teachers. In accordance with mandated pandemic health and safety protocols and restrictions, UPCCS K-5 also provides related services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech, and language support, and transportation required for the student to benefit from the special education program.
To identify a student with a disability, various screening activities are conducted. When screening results suggest a student might be a student in need of specially designed instruction, the multi- disciplinary team will provide Permission to Evaluate (PTE) form to the parent/guardian. A team composed of school staff and the parent/guardian gathers information for the evaluation. The evaluation report (ER) is written and reviewed by the team. If it is determined the child has a disability and also has a need for specially designed instruction, an individualized education plan (IEP) is developed. The IEP Team will determine the type of special education services and the amount of support needed to provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).
Parents who think their child may have a disability or may be eligible for special education may request, at any time, that UPCCS K-5 conduct a Multidisciplinary Evaluation. Requests for a Multidisciplinary Evaluation must be made in writing to the Director of Special Education of UPCCS K-5 at 925 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. We highly recommend prior to enrolling your child that you contact the Director of Special Education at (412) 325-4075 to discuss your child’s current Individual Education Program and a further explanation of the special education offerings at the school.
A copy of the Annual Public Notice of Special Education Services and Programs and Rights for Students with Disabilities and Notification of Rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is posted to the School’s website and copies are maintained in the School’s main office.
Tutoring Program
Tutoring is available to all families to help students who need assistance after the school day ends. Please talk to your child’s teacher regarding tutoring options and signing up. Virtual Tutoring is offered every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Some Saturday Tutoring is also available.
Please contact Ms. Melissa Makranin (mmakranin@upcsk5.net) for Tuesday and Thursday Tutoring
Please contact Ms. Gina Potter (gpotter@upcsk5.net) for Saturday Tutoring