• 1. What is School Social Work

    School Social Work addresses many needs of students and their families. Sometimes children don’t feel successful at school because they are having trouble making friends, they are struggling with schoolwork, or because of stress within their family. The School Social Worker can serve as a support person to the child and family as they work together with the school team to help the child become more successful.

    2. What does the School Social Worker Do?

    1. Works with Teachers to design behavior plans and classroom management strategies.
    2. Works with families on behavior interventions that can support the child’s school performance.
    3. Helps families find support and resources in the community.
    4. Works with children individually or in groups on all kinds of issues from anxiety and bullying to self-esteem and social skills.
    5. Goes into classrooms to do character education lessons on empathy, problem-solving, anger management and bullying.
    6. Works with the other special educators in the building to develop plans that will help children succeed in school.

    3. How to Access the School Social Worker

    1. You can talk with your student’s teacher about your concerns and she/he will contact the school social worker
    2. You can call the school social worker directly and discuss your concerns, questions or needs .
    3. The school social worker may contact you if they are made aware of or have observed something that concerns them.

    **The Illinois Association for School Social Work and the Illinois Board of Mental Health have determined that a School Social Worker can meet with a student up to 5 times without requiring parent permission. I make every effort to speak with parents and gain their permission prior to meeting with their child. There are times however when there is an emergency situation and my interventions are necessary to help the Teacher, the student or other students involved. If that is the case, I then contact the parents as soon as possible after the situation has been diffused. An example of this might be a child crying in the hallway, or a fight at recess.

    Social Worker:

    • Gurrie: Ashley Burger, LCSW and Gen Palabrica, MSW