Social Workers - Elementary
We are a strong team, and our goal is to
provide continuity across district social work programs!
Conflict Managers
The Conflict Manager Programs in Oswego train
fourth and fifth grade students to help other children resolve
certain non-physical disputes. Conflict Managers are nominated by
their teachers and peers based on the following qualities:
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Respect
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Responsibility
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Fairness
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Trustworthiness
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Caring
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Good Citizenship
Potential benefits to students involved in the
program include increased self-confidence and positive
problem-solving skills. Potential benefits to the school include
decreased discipline referrals and a sense of safety in the school
environment, thus allowing students more time for learning and
teachers more time for teaching.
The responsibilities of Conflict Managers
include:
I-Care
This program is designed to give children the
foundation for good conflict resolution skills as well as character
building. This program focuses on the following "I-Care Rules:"
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We listen to each other.
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Hands are for helping, not hurting.
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We use I-Care language
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We care about each others feelings.
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We are responsible for what we say and do.
The children will also learn and be encouraged to
use I-Messages:
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Use the person's name
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Tell how you feel ("I feel...")
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Tell why ("when...")
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Tell what you want ("and I would like you
to...")
The School Social Worker visit each first grade
classroom on a regular basis. Please ask your child about his/her
experiences with I-Care Cat.
New Students
We are happy to have your children in our schools
and would like to make his/her learning experience as meaningful as
possible. The adjustment to a new school may be difficult or scary,
therefore, some schools offer new kid lunch programs.
The programs are designed to help children become familiar with the
building, make new friends, and feel comfortable in their new school
environment. Information is sent home from participating schools in
the beginning of the year.
Parent Library
Many resources are available on a variety of
topics at each building.
Information is available about the following and more:
Contact your school social worker to access
specific materials.
Rainbows
RAINBOWS is a special program offered at
elementary schools consisting of peer support groups to help
children who have suffered a loss through death, separation, divorce
or a family transition such as a remarriage. Each peer support group
is facilitated by a trained adult.
When something significant happens in a family, such as a death or
separation, the entire family is affected. Even though death,
separation and divorce may appear initially to be adult problems,
these do have profound effects on children in the family. Not only
do parents grieve, children do also. Because of their age and
limited life experience, children find it difficult to verbalize
their feelings, and often can seem as though they are "fine". We
have trained staff who help children put their feelings into words,
work through their grief, build a stronger sense of self-esteem, and
begin to accept what has taken place in the family.
Through RAINBOWS, we hope to assist your child in expressing and
understanding his or her feelings, to feel acceptance for what has
happened and to feel a sense of belonging. This will be accomplished
through the channels of peer support, caring, trained adults to
guide them and a secure place to share where confidentiality is
stressed.
Please look for registration information in the
Fall.
Rainbow Weekly Topics:
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Self – “One of a Kind”
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Feelings – “Inside Out”
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Divorce/Death/Loss – “Why My Family?”
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Divorce/Death/Loss – “Making the Pieces Fit”
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Anger and Hurt – “Blowups and Letdowns”
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Fears and Worries – “Facing Fears and
Worries”
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Family – “We Are a Family”
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Belonging – “Where Do I Fit In?”
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Stepfamily – “The Stepfamily”
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Acceptance – “Endings and Beginnings”
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Coping Tools – “Weathering the Storms”
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Reaching Out to Others – “Reaching Out”
Snowflurry
Operation Snowflurry is founded on the belief
that every human being has the capacity to make sound decisions
regarding his or her own life, based on accurate information and an
understanding of one's self.
Operation Snowflurry seeks to bring together fourth grade students,
community professionals and other caring adults to develop a
trusting relationship and provide a framework for understanding ones
self and others through large and small group sessions covering:
The program also strives to teach youth those
skills that develop healthy peer relationships, resist negative peer
pressures and promote responsible decision-making. The program takes
place on a Saturday in February each school year.
Contact the
Elementary Social Workers
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Boulder Hill Lori de la Cruz
Phone: 630.636.2905
Email |
Long Beach Brenda Gullickson
Phone: 630.636.3305
Email |
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Churchill Katie Wolff
630.636.3805
Email |
Long Beach Chris Milka
630.636.3302
Email |
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East View Katie Holmgren
Phone: 630.636.2805
Email |
Old Post Mary Dwyer
Phone: 630.636.3405
Email |
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Fox Chase Juanita Hughes
Phone: 630.636.3005
Email |
Prairie Point Kevin McNicholas
630.636.3604
Email |
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Homestead Nicole Hunt
Phone: 630.636.3105
Email |
The Wheatlands Lori Zielke
Phone: 630.636.3505
Email |
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Lakewood Creek Mike Potsic
Phone: 630.636.3205
Email |
Wolf's Crossing Natasha St. Victor
630.636.3705
Email |
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Lakewood Creek/Easview LSP Diane Gardner
630.636.9416
Email |
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