EASD's Plan for Success
Why This Matters: Our Motivation
Every student walks into school with a unique set of experiences, strengths, and struggles. Some face barriers like food insecurity, housing instability, mental health challenges, or lack of access to support systems. These factors can greatly impact their ability to focus, engage, and succeed in school.
At the same time, resilience, the ability to bounce back from adversity, is a skill that can be developed. When students are resilient, they’re better equipped to manage challenges, maintain healthy relationships, and stay motivated despite adversity.
By focusing on both removing barriers and strengthening resilience, we aim to create a supportive environment where all students can feel safe, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Our Proactive Approach: Building Relationships and Providing Support
Our Student Support Services team is dedicated to proactively addressing challenges that may hinder student success and ensuring equitable access to essential resources. Through their coordinated efforts, interventions, and strong partnerships with families and community resources, the team works to remove barriers so every student can fully engage and thrive not only academically but also socially and emotionally.
The District is proud to offer a team of highly qualified professionals - alongside trusted community partners - who are dedicated to supporting academic, social, and emotional well-being.
In-District Support Services:
- School Counselors - Building Specific: Support students by providing guidance, emotional support, and resources to help them succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
- Social Worker - Deb Handshew, LCSW: Provides social work support, K-12, to students with Individualized Education Plans.
- Home and School Visitor - Kenny Burke: Provides support, K-12 - to eliminate a wide range of student barriers, including attendance, and essential needs.
- School Nurses - Building Specific: Promote student health and wellness by addressing medical needs and managing chronic conditions to ensure students are in school and ready to learn.
Partner Services (Outside Organizations):
- Crisis Response Counseling - Partnership with Empower the Mind - Grades 6–12: Provides immediate counseling support for students experiencing significant social and emotional challenges.
- Trauma Counseling - Partnership with Empower the Mind - Grades K-2: Provides one-on-one counseling at school, with an emphasis on prior trauma.
- TeamCare - Grades K-12: Provides counseling services to students within the school setting.
- Good Samaritan - Grades K-12: Provides counseling services to students within the school setting.
How Parents and Caregivers Can Help
Families play a vital role in helping students overcome challenges and access their full learning potential. Here are several ways parents and guardians can partner with us to remove barriers and support their child’s success:
- Keep the Lines of Communication Open - Regularly check in with your child about how they’re feeling, socially, emotionally, and academically. Listen without judgment and create a safe space for them to share.
- Stay Connected with the School - Build relationships with teachers, counselors, and school staff. They can provide insight and work collaboratively with you to support your child’s needs.
- Ask for Help When Needed - Talk openly about mental health. If your child is struggling, don’t hesitate to seek support from the district support services team.
Areas of Emphasis: Breaking Barriers, Building Resilience
This year, our district’s Support Services Team is committed to a clear and powerful mission: eliminating barriers to student success and building resilience in every learner. We recognize that for students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, we must first address the obstacles that stand in their way and equip them with the tools to overcome life’s challenges.
To advance this area of emphasis, the district will focus on three key areas:
- Empowering Student Engagement - We’ll build strong student connections through our Culture of Belonging, ensuring every student feels seen, heard, and supported.
- Strengthening Family Partnerships - We need you! The Support Services Team wants to increase our engagement with families to create a supportive learning environment at school and home.
- Maximizing Support Services & Utilizing Resources - Our team will use counseling, academic, and community resources efficiently and fairly, ensuring timely support that meets each student’s unique needs.
Together, with families and community as partners, we can meet our students’ unique needs so each can learn, grow, and thrive.
For questions about our Support Services, contact Dr. Jennifer Fields, Supervisor of Student Services, by email at jennifer_fields@etownschools.org or by phone at (717) 367-1521.