BACK TO SCHOOL	STRATFORD SCHOOL Garden City, NY Michele Degati, LCSW School Social Worker
What Is a Social Worker A social worker is a trained professional who works with the children on a variety of issues including: social skills, behavioral concerns and prevention activities (bullying, making friends, etc.) that may improve the quality of each students social/ emotional. The social worker also works as part of the team comprised of teachers, parents, school psychologists, and administators. School social workers provide services in a variety of methods including: individual, group, and classroom lessons.	RED RIBBON WEEK Red Ribbon Week is acampaign designed by the National Family Partnership, which targets youngpeople of all ages to “Say No to Drugs! Insupport of this year’s Red Ribbon Week, the4th and 5th grade classes will participate in theplanting of red tulips as part of an in class lesson designed to raiseawareness about alcohol and drugs.   Plantingflowers is a symbol of hope and a great way to involve children, parents, andteachers in raising awareness about substance abuse. In addition, when theflowers bloom, they will serve as a physical reminder for our students toremain DRUG FREE!
Highlights From Classroom Presentations Respect Several5th grade classes discussed the importance of respect. Studentsidentified the meaning of the word “respect” and ways to demonstrate it to ourselves,peers, and members of the community. Friendship 2ndgraders participated in several mini lessons on the topic of friendship.Children identified methods for being a good friend and how to include othersin a group.   AcceptingDifferences: Several2nd -5th grade classes were presented with a lesson onaccepting differences in others in order to help create a successful transitionfor new students.	Upcoming Events BullyingPrevention- (Michele Degati, School Social Worker) –Presentations in classwill be facilitated throughout Nov for 3rd and 4thgraders and December for 2nd and 5th grade.      Playing it Smart (CAPS Program) Nov 18th, 19th and 20th Sponsored by the CAPS program. Facilitators willpresent lessons on safety at home, school, and into the community. Banana Splits- Groupsdesigned to help students cope with divorce and separation Hands Are NotFor Hitting: (Presented by SCOPE educational services) will be facilitatedin class with the second grade Dec 3rd and 4th.
Helpful Websites	Parents theAnti-Drug: http://www.theantidrug.com/ Talk with YourKids: http://www.talkingwithkids.org/drugs.html   BullyingPrevention Websites: Stop Bullying Now: http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/index.asp?area=main Take Time to Listen (Parent Program):http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/15plus/