School Social Workers
School Social Workers are trained mental health professionals with a degree who provide services related to a person's social, emotional and life adjustment to school and/or society. School Social Workers are the link between the home, school and community in providing direct as well as indirect services to students, families and school personnel to promote and support students' academic and social success.
Newark City Schools are fortunate to have the services of a social worker in each of our elementary schools as well as NCS-Digital. Their responsibilities include some of the following as determined by school:
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Assessments
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Short-term counseling
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Small group facilitation
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Individual skill building
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Conflict mediation
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Attendance monitoring and support
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Connection to community resources
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Crisis intervention
School social workers become an important part of a child’s support system in school, often consulting with teachers and families to optimize the child’s school experiences and learning. School Social Workers assess students' needs, situations, and strengths to determine their goals and provide continued supports. They may also provide some small group interventions that focus on the handling of divorce, grief/loss or teaching positive social skills. In order for a school social worker to meet with your child on a regular basis, parent permission must be granted. Permission forms are available at your child’s school.
School Social Workers help STUDENTS:
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Achieve maximum benefit from their educational opportunities
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Understand themselves and others
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Improve emotional regulation skills
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Improve interpersonal relationships
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Cope with stress
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Develop decision making skills
School Social Workers help PARENTS:
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Participate effectively in their children's education and meet their children's social and emotional needs
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Understand programs available to students with special needs
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Utilize school and community resources effectively
School Social Workers help SCHOOLS:
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Understand factors (cultural, societal, economic, familial, health, etc.) that affect students' abilities to make maximum use of their school experience
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Utilize their resources in meeting the educational, social, and emotional needs of students
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Promote a safe school environment
School Social Workers help COMMUNITIES:
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Understand school policies, programs and practices
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Develop resources to adequately meet the needs of students and families
Contacts
To contact the social worker, call the school office at the numbers below:
Ben Franklin Elementary
670-7340
Carson Elementary
670-7301
Cherry Valley Elementary
670-7330
Hillview Elementary
670-7310
John Clem Elementary
670-7130
Legend Elementary
670-7102
McGuffey Elementary
670-7141