Attendance a high priority in Middletown

Probation Officer Melissa Laks has worked in collaboration with the district in reducing truancy and behavioral problems at Middletown High School since the fall of 2007 as part of the Safe Schools/Healthy Students (SS/HS) grant.

As Orange County's first school-based Probation Officer, Laks responds to referrals from principals, guidance counselors, home school liaisons, security officers, teachers, and parents, and is available for immediate intervention regarding behavioral problems, attendance issues, and campus safety concerns. She provides real-time interventions, including counseling both at school and at the homes of students, and conducts regular field and home visits to address at-risk factors at home and in the community.

Laks also serves as a liaison between the district and the various youth service agencies throughout Orange County. She also assists in monitoring youth already on probation that are attending the high school.