Breaking Barriers For Students And Families

Charlotte NC

08 March, 2021

12:42 PM

Description

Press release from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: 3/8/2021 School social workers play an important role in supporting the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools community. They help struggling students at all grade levels and engage families in the educational process, services that have become more crucial – and challenging – during the COVID-19 pandemic. "It's harder now because we're trying to keep students engaged, and the outreach has to be 10 times more than it was before," said Tulani Vaughn, a social worker at West Charlotte High. "And it's not just the pandemic. There are things going on in society – racial tension, civil unrest – that affect students, and some are dealing with the loss of loved ones. We help them understand that we can help them over these hurdles." CMS will celebrate the contributions of school social workers during National School Social Work Week March 7-13. The district currently has about 117 school social workers, with new hires starting this month. They support students, families and staff; serve as the liaison to community supports; and focus on assessment, dropout prevention (attendance and truancy), McKinney-Vento services and crisis intervention. "Our primary connection is the home and school connection," said Yvette Watson, school social work coordinator. "We link the family to the school community and work with students to eliminate barriers in reaching their academic potential and overall social and emotional well-being." One of this year's barriers has been the struggle some students have with remote learning. Vaughn said there can be many reasons a home situation isn't ideal, from having several siblings studying remotely in one home to lacking an adequate internet connection. "But people in general are having anxiety and depression, and are having to develop coping skills – every situation is different," said Vaughn, who was CMS School Social Worker of the Year, Regional School Social Worker of the Year and N.C. School Social Worker of the Year for 2016-2017. Barry Sherman of Wilson STEM Academy has been named the CMS School Social Worker of the Year for the 2020-2021 academic year. The recognition began during the 2015-2016 school year, and previous winners include Patrick Narcisse, Charlene Davidson, Rose Smith and Kanathia Narcisse. This press release was produced by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. The views expressed are the author's own.