School Social Worker
School social workers
The goal of the social work program is to partner directly with families, educators, students, and our communities to address and overcome barriers to academic achievement at the elementary level. Ultimately this partnership provides the necessary support and guidance that are essential to academic success and sound life decisions.
School social workers are licensed mental health professionals trained to provide support and interventions to children and families proactively and in times of emotional/mental health crisis.
They do this by providing individual, small group and family support. Sessions focus on:
- Improving social, emotional and academic functioning
- Positive reinforcement
- Behavior modification
- Specific skill development
- Building trusting connections with each student and their family
- Direct consultation and linkage to appropriate community resources for families
- Help children and their families meet basic needs and overcome barriers to education
Please note that social work settings are created around the ever-changing and unique needs of each school and may vary throughout the year and at each site. Please contact your child’s school social worker for more information.
LILY FERREIRA
School Social Worker
Lily.Ferreira@district196.org
Phone: 952-431-8386 Voicemail: 18386
The overall goal is to work directly with students and their families, teachers, and other support staff to provide the guidance, support and nurturance so essential to academic success. The School Social Worker also consults and advocates for families regarding parenting strategies, connects families with community resources and assists in times of crisis
Westview Family Network
The Family Network is unique to Westview Elementary and provides support and opportunities that enable children for success. When a child's basic needs are met:
- They are better able to stay on task;
- They have stronger self-esteem, and
- They are more successful students, classmates and friends.
The network includes Steps-to-Respect curriculum and anti-bullying lessons to all grades, free clothing swaps during conferences, Panera Bread over-bake weekly giveaway, Holiday Food Event (Gobble, Gobble, Give) and school food shelf.
Get involved!
Join the Family Network Committee and make a difference at Westview. The committee meets the third Tuesday of each month at 8:15 a.m. at Westview Elementary. For more information, get in touch with our school social worker Patsy Ryan at 952-431-8386 or Patsy.Ryan@district196.org.
The committee is also appreciative of donations, regardless of type or size.
Talking about COVID-19
Information provided by National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- I’m having a lot of anxiety because of the coronavirus. Please help.
- I’m quarantined or working from home – lonely and isolated even further – what can I do?
- I have a different question, where can I find more information?
I’m having a lot of anxiety because of the coronavirus. Please help.
I’m quarantined or working from home – lonely and isolated even further – what can I do?
I have a different question, where can I find more information?
Thoughts, Emotions and Coping with Stress
Resources
- CALM App
- Conscious Discipline: https://consciousdiscipline.com/covid-19-five-helpful-responses-for-families/
- Minnesota Department of Health Behavioral Health and Emergency Preparedness: https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/ep/behavioral/index.html#covid19
- National Association of School Psychologists "Helping Kids Cope with the Changes from COVID-19": https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crisis-resources/helping-children-cope-with-changes-resulting-from-covid-19
- Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19: https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources/fact-sheet/outbreak_factsheet_1.pdf
- Minnesota Department of Health "Supporting Mental Health during COVID-19: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1586793971/district196org/auuaxcxxtmmehnvybxpg/MDHMentalWell-beingduringCOVID.pdf