School social workers are critical members of the school team in every MPS school. This week, during School Social Work Week, March 6–12, MPS salutes our social workers who are a key part of many students’ lives all year round.
School social workers help identify concerns and make connections to resources for the safety, health, comfort, and well-being of students and families. Meeting these needs is shown to increase children’s academic achievement and help them thrive.
During the pandemic and virtual learning, school social workers served students and families by providing a variety of supports to increase feelings of connectedness, even as social distancing was required for health and safety. School social workers also helped drive attendance efforts, contacting absent children and encouraging them to attend school daily.
As students transitioned back to in-person learning, school social workers stepped up to help children re-engage with classmates and teachers. Many young students were entering classrooms for the first time after virtual kindergarten, needing help acclimating to the school environment. MPS school social workers have received extensive training and are proactive in responding to children with trauma who may need specialized assistance.
The connections forged by school social workers can take many forms to ensure that all children can be successful learners by:
• Advocating for all students to ensure equity of resources.
• Providing resources to access the necessary food, clothing, and shelter that all students deserve.
• Facilitating student and group support to reduce barriers that interfere with academic achievement.
• Connecting with parents and students to improve or enhance daily attendance.
• Ensuring families have the technology and support for students to participate in virtual learning
• Conduct home visits to provide families with resources and strengthen school connections
All this week, remember to thank a school social worker who supports staff, students and families in our district. Thank you, school social workers!
