School Social Work

Role of the School Social Worker

School social work is a specialized area of practice within the broad field of the social work profession. School social workers bring unique knowledge and skills to the school system and the student services team. School social workers are trained mental health professionals who can assist with mental health concerns, behavioral concerns, positive behavioral support, academic and classroom support, consultation with teachers, parents and administrators as well as provide individual and group counseling/therapy. School social workers are instrumental in furthering the mission of the schools which is to provide a setting for teaching, learning, and for the attainment of competence and confidence. School social workers are hired by school districts to enhance the district’s ability to meet its academic mission, especially where home, school and community collaboration is the key to achieving student success. -School Social Work Association of America

Batavia Public Schools has set forth the following priorities for elementary social workers:

  • Ongoing collaboration to support social and emotional learning in the academic setting
  • Teach Wellness using the Second Steps Curriculum in grades 1-5
  • Crisis intervention with students
  • Active member of Building Problem Solving & IEP Teams
  • Meet with students in small groups or individually to address IEP goals
  • PBIS Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions (Social Academic Instructional Groups (SAIGs), Check in Check Out, Functional Behavior Analysis, Behavior Intervention Plans).
  • Evaluations for special education (parent interviews, students interviews, teacher interviews, observations, assessment protocols, writing reports)
  • Provide resources for services outside of the school setting to address family concerns and needs

Wellness

Wellness is taught by a school social worker to grades 1-5 and to all students in the Early Childhood Center. Wellness is one avenue in which Batavia Public Schools has chosen to address the Illinois Social Emotional Learning Standards. The social workers use the Second Step curriculum to teach skills in the following four areas:

  • Skills for Learning: Children gain skills to help them be better learners, including how to focus their attention, listen carefully, and ask for help.
  • Empathy: Children learn to identify and understand their own and others’ feelings. Children also learn how to show care for others.
  • Emotion Management: Children learn how to calm down when they have strong feelings, such as worry or anger.
  • Friendship Skills and Problem Solving: Children learn how to make and keep friends and to solve problems with others in a positive way.

Go online to SecondStep.org and log in with the activation key CPU2 FAMI LYG2 to get more information about what your child is learning in the Second Step program. Thank you for helping us to make our school a safe and supportive place where everyone can learn.