What does the school social worker do?
True or False:
I have to see the school social worker when I get into trouble.
FALSE
Your teacher might ask you to see the school social worker to work on skills for making better choices for school success, not to punish you.
True or False:
The school social worker helps kids study for tests.
FALSE
The school social worker may not help you study for a test but if you are having difficulty paying attention in class, or testing anxiety, we might be able to work on some strategies that will help you focus.
True or False
The school social worker MAY talk to my teacher.
(think of confidentiality)
TRUE
We are all a team and I may talk to your teacher about how I can support you here at school.
True or False:
The school social worker sees every kid in the school individually.
FALSE
While I hope to get to know all of you in some way throughout this school year, I won't meet with every student individually.
True or False:
The school social worker only helps students with special needs.
FALSE
The school social worker is available to help ALL students, of ALL abilities.
True or False:
The school social worker can help when I feel angry.
TRUE
Self-awareness and self-management skills are important. We can work on ways to manage anger in healthy ways.
True or False:
The school social worker MAY talk to my parents.
(think of confidentiality)
TRUE
We are all a team and I may talk to your parents about how I can support you here at school.
True or False:
It is OK to stop by the school social worker's office just to say hi.
TRUE
I would love for you to stop in and say hi, as long as I am available. There will be times when you won't be able to come in.
True or False:
As soon as you submit a request to see the school social worker, she will immediately meet with you.
False
The social worker will meet with you as soon as she can. The social worker will work with your teacher for a time that does not interfere with school work.
True or False:
The school social worker can help me with family problems.
TRUE
I can be a listening ear and we can also work on a plan to manage your feelings about what is going on, depending on what you need.
True or False:
If I tell the school social worker a secret, she will keep it ALL the time.
(think of confidentiality)
FALSE
I will keep information PRIVATE and will involve only people who need to be involved in order to help support you and keep you and others safe.
How does a student see the school social worker?
Ask a teacher for the link on your teacher's Schoology page, or you can ask when you see her.
True or False
A school social worker does not worry about your attendance as long as your grades are good.
False
Attendance is important. Your teacher and social worker want you at school every day (unless you are sick). It is hard to get good grades if you are not at school.
True or False:
The school social worker can get me lots of friends.
FALSE
HOWEVER, I can help you learn social skills that will make you a better friend.
True or False:
If I tell my school social worker that I or someone else I know is getting hurt, she will tell my parents or someone else who can help make sure everyone is safe.
TRUE
If a student's safety is in question, I will make sure that the right people get involved in order to keep everyone safe.
True or False:
It is OK to ask to see the school social worker if I am having a problem.
TRUE
Absolutely! It is OK to let your teacher know that you would like to talk with me. They will let me know and I will find a time to meet with you.
True or False:
The school social worker will solve my problem for me.
FALSE
I can teach you strategies to help you solve problems.
What are some feelings you may talk to the school social worker about?
Happy, Sad, Lonely, Scare, Confused, Angry, Nervous
True or False:
The school social worker will tell my teacher something negative that I said about him/her.
FALSE
My office is a safe space to vent and talk about your frustrations.
True or False:
I can see the school social worker as much as I need/want to.
TRUE
I will meet with you however often you need to. HOWEVER, students are not allowed to take advantage and use seeing me as an excuse to get out of class time.