Welcome to Mrs. Appi's Social Worker Corner

Social Work Corner

Bonnie Appi, LCSW

bappi@northbranfordschools.org

As the school social worker, I want to introduce myself, provide background of my education, my experience, my role at JHS and the services I provide for students and families. I am a graduate of Colorado State University (BSW) and Southern Connecticut State University (MSW).  I am also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) through the Department of Public Health. My experience includes social work for the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Children and Families, performing clinical intervention at a local mental health agency with children, adolescents and families and this is my 14th year as the JHS social worker.

         As a member of the Special Education staff, my main initiative is weekly counseling with students who are identified as needing special education services and have counseling as a part of their Individualized Education Plan (IEP).  In addition to this I provide time-limited counseling for regular education students surrounding a particular life situation that has caused distress for the student.

         A wonderful opportunity is available for Kindergarten students. The Second Step program is a violence-prevention series that includes lessons for all grade levels.  During this school year, I will direct 12 lessons in each kindergarten class. The areas of focus for these lessons are Empathy Training, Emotion Management and Problem Solving. Large pictures on cards and puppets help make this a most interesting opportunity that the students anticipate weekly!

Most students new to kindergarten adjust quite smoothly. For those who are still experiencing difficulty meeting behavioral expectations after several weeks of school, I facilitate a group to help reinforce classroom expectations such as listening, following directions and participating appropriately.  This group is held weekly for five weeks and referrals to the group are made from teachers and parents.

Lunch Bunch is an opportunity for students to spend time focusing on improving peer relationships using curriculum-based activities.  At various times during the school year, Lunch Bunch groups will be held depending upon interest and need.  These students meet weekly during their lunch/recess time to work with their same-grade peers in a small group on activities to develop and enhance their friendship making abilities.  Groups are held for a maximum of three months and are composed of no more than 5 students and selected based upon teacher and parent referral.  This is an enjoyable time for students and close bonds are formed!

In upcoming newsletters I will provide information on additional opportunities for students as they arise during the school year. In the Harrison Happenings newsletters, I will include monthly articles on topics of interest such as improving your child’s self-esteem, lying and handling disciplinary issues at home, just to name a few. In addition to this I will be available on the evening of Parent/Teacher conferences.  I will have a table set up with resources available in our school (available for check-out and/or take home) that can provide invaluable information to families to enhance their already rewarding job of raising their children!

 I am at JHS daily and I encourage you to call me should a situation arise in your child’s life that you feel may impact them in school.  I have children’s books on a variety of topics that may help facilitate conversations that you would like to have with your child. Contact me for a book listing of all available books for loan.  Please contact me at the main school number with your concerns, questions or information regarding your child and I hope to be of assistance.   Have a great school year! –Mrs. Appi