Southern Middle School Student Support Services “I cannot teach the head when the heart is broken or the mind is troubled…” Teacher of the Year Missouri 2002

Who Are the Student Services Team Members? School Counselors (& Intern) School Nurse School Social Worker Prevention Specialist School Administrator Check us out on the school webpage under School Information- Student Support Services!

Students with social and emotional issues receive help from the Student Services Team. You are the expert on your students. We are here to offer additional help through specific skill sets.

What issues does the Student Services Team address? Student Achievement Special Education Bullying/Harassment Behavioral Problems Physical Health School Avoidance Discipline Concerns Mental/Emotional Health Monitor Attendance

Buzz the front office and say “I need a SST member” as soon as you receive information about any of the following: Threats of physical harm Expressions of self-harm Death or illness in the immediate family

The SST Process Student Services Team Referral Forms are available by the mailboxes and can be completed and returned to any member of the Student Services Team. The Student Services Team will meet weekly to discuss and monitor the student and refer to the appropriate staff member or team when needed.

Referral is made to SST by teachers or other staff SST members share information and discuss referred student Student is referred to: 504 Team Problem Solving Model (PBIS & RTI) - OR - Student Assistance Team (SAT) Community Agency CFT Case management by SST member

What is the Student Assistance Team? A team comprised of the student’s team of teachers and SAT members who meet to discuss ACADEMIC concerns and develop classroom interventions for the student. This team monitors the progress and can make a formal referral when needed to the IEP team for consideration into the Exceptional Children’s Program. We are in the process of converting to Response to Intervention (RtI). Send to tracy

School Counselors Mary Davis & Tracy Schledorn Consultation with teachers, parents, and administrators Individual Counseling Group Counseling Classroom Guidance To address the academic, personal/social, and career needs of our students. We are legally bound to protect students’ confidentiality. Unless the student is in danger, we cannot “report back” to anyone without their permission.

School Counselors Teachers can refer to the school counselor through email or a note. Do not place sensitive/confidential information in our office door folders or slide under office doors. Do not send distraught students to the counseling offices. Buzz the office or escort the student. **************** Students with non-emergency concerns may come down during non-instructional class time- with their agenda signed. If we are not available, the student should fill out a request slip and immediately return to class. If we see a student, they will return to class with their agenda signed or a note.

Prevention Specialist Jennifer Rotella Drug & violence prevention Support for students to refrain from using substances Support for students re: problem solving, conflict resolution, anger management, relationship-building skills Individual counseling Group counseling Consultation with faculty and family Organize drug prevention events Classroom guidance- 8th grade

School Social Worker Kristin Waltz Provides direct and indirect services to students, families, and school personnel to promote and support student’s academic and social success Children Who Typically Need School Social Work Services McKinney-Vento students (Homeless) “Any student who does not have a fixed, regular, or permanent home” including Unaccompanied Youth, Doubled-Up, and hotels. Victims of Abuse or Neglect-brochures available-Email to ask! Students in need of assistance with school supplies, food, clothing Students with attendance issues-Email any concerns!

School Social Workers Liaison between Home/School/Community: Coordinates Child and Family Team meetings Coordinate services for students and families with agencies such as mental health, Department of Social Services, juvenile court, and community charities Consultation to faculty and staff on homelessness, abuse & neglect, parent support, attendance concerns Advocate for student needs (school supplies, clothing, food) Assess student needs through interviews, home visits, and record reviews Provide individual counseling and support Monitors attendance (compulsory attendance law)

What is a Child and Family Team? A team of school personnel (that’s YOU!), family members, community personnel, and the student whose primary objective in the school setting is to develop a plan of improvement for students who are at risk of school failure. Your EXPERTISE on the students will continue to be one of the best resources for the SST! If you have a student who is involved in outside mental health services, let us know.

Outcome A plan is created, supported, and monitored. Family and school personnel reconvene as needed to monitor progress and make changes. Success!

School Nurse Deborah Sasser NC State Board of Education requirements: “Each LEA shall make available a registered nurse for assessment, care planning, and on-going evaluation of students with special health care service needs in the school setting. [These] include procedures that are invasive, carry reasonable risk of harm if not performed correctly, may not have a predictable outcome, or may require additional action based on results of testing or monitoring. Care planning includes but is not limited to: Identification of appropriate persons to perform the procedure; Teaching those persons to perform the procedure; and Identification of a mechanism for registered nurses to provide ongoing supervision to ensure the the procedure is performed appropriately and monitoring the student’s response to care provided in the school setting Reference: NC G.S. 115C-12(9); G.S. 115C-81; G.S. 115C-307(c)

School Nurse Manages the school health program through evaluation, planning, implementation, & coordination Identifies the health care needs of students and the availability of health services/resources Serves as case manager for students with special health care needs Develops emergency care plans and individual health plans for students with chronic illness Focuses on reducing the incidence of health related absenteeism and/or impaired learning Collaborates with school staff, and medical and other professionals Provides education to students, families, and staff about health concerns Advocates for students with health concerns in the school setting Educates the school and community re: healthcare issues (prevention and safety concerns)