Friday, March 5, 2004

Fulton Schools observe Social Work Week

The Fulton County School System celebrates School Social Work Week, March 7-13, as part of the March observance of Social Work Month.

Organized by the National Association of Social Workers, the theme for the month-long celebration is “The Power of Social Work: Pass It On.” Fulton school social workers support this theme by helping students surpass barriers that may hinder their academic and social performance.

School social workers also:

• Assist schools in reducing student truancy

• Serve as mediators and advocates for students during school meetings and disciplinary proceedings

• Educate parents about their rights in their child’s education

• Protect students by reporting child abuse and neglect

• Counsel students by starting various groups and after-school activities

• Serve as liaisons between the school and home by making sure that parents receive urgent information in a timely manner

• Serve as facilitators by creating presentations and training materials that educate school staff on attendance policies and procedures

In addition to those initiatives, each year Fulton’s school social workers hit the streets to activate “Project First Day,” a campaign to educate students and parents about the importance of attendance on the first day of school. Nearly 40 school social workers serve Fulton County’s 73,000 students.