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Social Workers

Elementary Social Workers | Secondary Social Workers

Elementary

We are happy to have your children in our schools and would like to make his/her learning experience as meaningful as possible. The adjustment to a new school may be difficult or scary, therefore, some schools offer new kid lunch programs.

The programs are designed to help children become familiar with the building, make new friends, and feel comfortable in their new school environment. Information is sent home from participating schools in the beginning of the year.

• Grief and Loss
• Self Help
• Friendship Skills
• Mental Health Issues
• Homework Skills
• Disabilities
• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
• Child Development
• Discipline Methods
• Learning Differences
• Single Parenting
• Divorce

1. Self
2. Feelings
3. Divorce/Death/Loss
4. Anger and Hurt
5. Fears and Worries
6. Family
7. Belonging
8. Stepfamily
9. Acceptance
10. Coping Tools
11. Reaching Out to Others

1. We listen to each other.
2. Hands are for helping, not hurting.
3. We use I-Care language
4. We care about each others feelings.
5. We are responsible for what we say and do.

1. Use the person's name
2. Tell how you feel ("I feel...")
3. Tell why ("when...")
4. Tell what you want ("and I would like you to...")

Secondary

Junior High School & High School Social Workers are committed and dedicated to the positive social, emotional, and academic development of the junior high student!

Title IV Activities

This year during the week of October 26, 2009, District 308 eighth grade and high school students will be participating in an alcohol and drug awareness program funded by the Title IV Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act.  Junior high and high school socials workers are working to raise the awareness of students throughout the Oswego 308 community about resisting substance abuse and prevention strategies.  The P.E.E.R.S.  Reality Check program has been selected for this purpose and is this year’s district wide secondary school assembly. 

P.E.E.R.S (Professionals Encouraging Educational Reform) is an organization based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Their Reality Check program is a fast paced alcohol and drug prevention program based on a Jeopardy style trivia game format.   Students will be “pitted” against each other to respond to drug and alcohol pop culture questions that instill good life choices.   Students learn through interactive play, team building, competition and fun.

To measure the effectiveness of this program participating students will be asked to complete an anonymous pre- and post- event questionnaire.  These survey results will aide in the selection of future quality programming that addresses the prevention of teen alcohol and substance abuse within our community.

Oswego School District secondary schools are working with the Kendall County Health Department to bring Substance Abuse Prevention and Mental Health Awareness to junior high and high school students.  The Project Alert and Red Flags programs are the designated school-based prevention programs.

• Project Alert is a proven solution, a nationally recognized substance abuse programs that provides students with insight, understanding and actual skills for resisting substance abuse.   It addresses tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and inhalants, the substances teens are most likely to use. 
• The Red Flags program was created as a school-based depression awareness and intervention program.  Red Flags helps youth recognize and respond to signs of depression and related mental health issues.

This school year, Traughber and Thompson Jr. High schools will implement the Red Flags program through grades 6 and 7.  Project Alert will be conducted at Plank Jr. High for grades 6 and 7 and at Bednarick Jr. High school for grade 6. These curriculum based programs will run for 3 classroom sessions taught by a Kendall County Health Department Therapist.  The classes will be presented through the physical education or health classes.  Students at both the high schools will participate in an early intervention program that discusses similar material. 

Adjusting to Junior High
The guidance counselor and school social worker meet with sixth grade students as a group and individually as needed to orient them to the expectations and opportunities of junior high. Our goal is to make sixth graders comfortable seeking help in case assistance should be needed.

Leadership Groups
School social workers run various groups that promote social justice, community service, respect and civic duty. These groups include Believe It Or Not I Care (BIONIC), Rotary Interact, Diversity Club and others. The work these clubs do help students build character and become responsible citizens.

Mentoring Programs
School social workers help facilitate programs in which older students mentor younger students. This helps build the relationships between schools as a whole and eases the transition between levels for individual students. Student mentors learn what it means to be a positive role model and how their actions impact younger students.

New Student Groups
School social workers along with other support staff strive to meet the needs of new students. Every effort is made to encourage new students to interact with other students, familiarize themselves with the building, and meeting essential building staff. New student lunches/breakfasts are a way of meeting these goals.

Peer Mediation
Peer mediation is a program that is available to all students to help them peacefully resolve their conflicts. Mediations may be requested by students, parents, or school staff. Peer mediation promotes and encourages a safe environment. The program sends a strong message that violence and aggression will not be tolerated. Mediators receive extensive training to learn the problem-solving process. They also participate in regular meetings to strengthen skills.

Red Ribbon Week
School social workers are part of the team that plans a building wide celebration of Red Ribbon Week. This week is dedicated to promoting healthy choices and living a drug-free lifestyle. Students participate in various activities to commit to making healthy choices. In years past, activities have included daily spirit activities, poetry composition, banner signing, and dances.

Team-Building
The school social worker facilitates weekly classroom groups on an as needed basis. Goals include promoting social skills and self-esteem.

All-School Assembly
School social workers assist with the planning of all school assemblies. Topics revolve around making healthy choices and resisting peer pressure.

Counseling
The school social worker provides individual and group counseling to students whose difficulties impact their academic success. Building healthy peer relationships, coping with stress, and problem solving are common group themes. Services can be requested by school staff, parents, and students. The school social worker assesses the situation and provides services as needed. Communication and consultation with parents is a vital component in this process.