I am here for your student and your family.  If I can be of any assistance, please call me at 328-3839 or e-mail me at lindejk@d11.org .  Julie K. Lindeman, LCSW

Why is there a Social Worker at our School?

Maybe you haven’t asked yourself that question.  Or maybe you have.  Or perhaps you didn’t even realize there was a social worker at Holmes Middle School.   Just what does “social worker” bring to your mind?  A stern-looking gray-haired lady with her hair pulled back in a bun, wearing sensible shoes who takes great delight in taking children from their parents?  A broomstick skirt, tie-dyed shirt, Birkenstock sandals, and protesting rabble-rouser?  I do wear sensible shoes and Birkenstocks.  I have a couple of broomstick skirts, but no tie-dyes.  Lady Clairol keeps my hair from being gray.  So who am I and why am I here?
           Schools are first and foremost here to educate our children.  For 100 years, the education system of the United States has come to realize that social and emotional factors often impact the ability of many students to fully attend to the learning process.  To that end, school districts have employed social workers to assist students and families with issues in that area.
            What I do at Holmes:

Ø       Assess social/emotional factors of each student referred or reviewed for special education services.

Ø       Refer students and their families to Operation School Bell, operated by the Assistance League, for winter jackets and clothing.  If you are interested, please contact me EARLY in the school year as the appointments fill up fast.

Ø       Provide referrals to community resources which can assist a student and family with social or emotional needs: medical insurance, domestic violence, financial/housing needs, support services, mental health needs, parent/child conflict, substance abuse issues.

Ø       Assess any student at the request of staff or parents for possible social/emotional factors, which might be interfering with the learning process.

Ø       Offer groups for students who need help with self-control, anger management, social skills (making and keeping friends), increasing self-esteem, coping with emotions of all kinds, problem-solving and decision-making, motivation.   If you believe your student would benefit from participation in a group, please call me as soon as possible.

Ø       Provide crisis intervention.

Ø       Serve as a consultant to staff.

Ø       Work on Tuesdays, Thursdays (all day) and Wednesday afternoons.

Ø       Follow up on students with attendance problems.

Ø       Serve as school designee for reporting suspected child abuse to authorities.

What I do Not do:

Ø       Psychotherapy for students

Ø       Fix every problem

Ø       Rant, rave or rescue

Ø       Take children from their families.

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