Westfield, Massachusetts (WWLP) – Due to the growing need for counselors in the state, Westfield Public Schools river valley counseling When rick’s place Provides additional emotional support to students.
At River Valley Counseling, 4-5 clinicians will be in the school building throughout the day. This has filled the need for about 52 referrals so far this month.
There are currently about 36 counselors who focus on academics and careers, in addition to social and emotional learning. of students, enter the classroom, and allocate more time to social-emotional learning across the class.
As a result of the pandemic, student mental health has become more prominent in school settings. “If a student is not in good mental health, it becomes an obstacle to learning,” said Stephen Chapolovsky, Westfield Public Schools Superintendent of Education. We really need to help them be ready and successful in the environment.”
For young people and families who may have lost loved ones to the pandemic or other causes, Rick’s Place offers grief relief. “The counseling students receive can continue throughout the school holidays and throughout the summer to help them make progress,” adds Susan Dargie, Head of Curriculum and Instruction. However, counseling often takes years to achieve the desired effect.
Continuation of River Valley Counseling can be done during summer vacations and vacations at the parent’s request. Students can also go to the clinic. Typically, students referred to River Valley Counseling have already met with an adaptation counselor and will be provided with additional support. Sometimes family counseling can also be a result.
“The majority of our students meet their needs, but we always think we can do better. Our counselor-to-student ratio is our strength,” says Czaporowski.
“When we think about educating our students, we are educating the whole student, and we cannot separate the child’s brain from their emotions and their social skills and needs,” Dargie said. We have to see the big picture.”
Cazaporowksi said it could take five to 10 years for schools to fully replenish from the pandemic, but he is confident the majority of students will be fine.
A future BRYT program could also be another future development for Westfield Public Schools. This will allow us to provide more support to students who may be discharged. “It’s about meeting the needs of the moment,” Darzee said.
“We often have students who are really struggling to keep up in the classroom. They really can’t be in that kind of general environment,” explained Dargie. “A program like this would be another place where there are educators, but there are also clinicians” (admitted for own safety). With these services, the school district expects students’ spiritual and academic needs to be met.
