I am so excited to be back at the Malcolm White for another terrific school year! As we have all been experiencing, this year is looking quite different than in past years, and the same is true for my role as school adjustment counselor here at the MW. As always, I will be in the building during all of the four days of in person learning and am available in person for students or situations that require immediate support.
However, the majority of my work with students this year will be done virtually. On the days that students are remote, I will be giving virtual classroom lessons to each grade, once a month. I am also continuing telehealth services for students who would benefit from individual meetings (all virtually). Additionally, my hope is to continue the usual lunch bunches and small social groups if possible, however these too will be done virtually on the days that students are remote. With that being said, I would like to introduce my intern who will be assisting me in providing virtual classroom lessons and any other supports students might need.
We are very fortunate this year to have Kelley Calkins working as an Adjustment Counselor intern here at the Malcolm White. Kelley is an extremely experienced clinician and a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) working to obtain her School Adjustment Counselor License. Prior to her internship this year, Kelley had worked for 5 years with Eliot Community Human Services, where she was involved with group homes, resource centers, and within the Everett Public Schools. I will serve as her supervisor and she will join me in providing all students with social-emotional support and learning opportunities.
New this year to all Woburn elementary schools is our Adjustment Counselor Referral Form. This form can be filled out by students or parents and is sent directly to me upon completing. This form will be used for students or parents to get in contact with either myself or Kelley, and responses will be checked daily during weekdays. As always, email or phone continues to be an option as well.
Finally, I am excited to share this video with you that many teachers and staff participated in to promote mask positivity in the building. All students in both cohorts have now seen this video, and we hope to continue our theme of Malcolm White Superheroes as the year goes on.