My name is Lisa Weninger.
I am starting my 8th school year at Maple Lake. My job responsibilities are endless...which is just the way I like it!
Typically, School social workers work with teachers, parents, and school administrator's to develop plans and strategies to improve students' academic performance and social development. Students and their families are often referred to social workers to deal with problems such as dealing with overwhelming stressors, aggressive behavior, bullying, or frequent absences from school etc.
School Social Workers are available to help students develop social skills and succeed in school both academically and socially.
If you ask your child(ren), they will be able to tell you that they meet with Mrs. Weninger once a week as a class for Character Education. Each grade receives 25-30 minutes per week of Second Step instruction for half of the school year. This year I have started meeting with Kindergarten, Second, and Fourth grade for Character Education. That men's I will see the other grades starting the end of January 2015. The students know that I love to share my favorite books with them during Character Education class at the start of the school year so they have already heard me read the book titled, How Full is Your Bucket? for Kids book by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer. Ask your child(ren) what they did each day to fill another persons bucket. That means they will tell you how their acts of kindness put "drops" in another person's invisible bucket. The idea is that when we do Nice Things, Say Kind Words, and Include Others...we are not only showing IRISH PRIDE but we are filling buckets leaving kids at MLE feeling happy. Plus, we get drops in our buckets each time we help others or show kindness.
Another part of my job is providing a resource to students in grades 3-6 who feel like they are being BULLIED or witness some sort of bullying in our school. Each teacher in those grades has a stack of orange colored Bulyy Help Cards. The cards are there for kids to fill out and give me if they want/need help related to bullying situations. The kids all know that this is not set up to get other children in trouble. Instead, it is there as a learning tool so that we can all be reminded of how our actions affect others each and everyday. This program has proven to be a positive way for kids at MLE to get the help they deserve when faced with difficult and sometimes stressful social situations.
Special education supportive services are a large portion of what I do here at Maple Lake elementary. I spend half hour sessions with a co-teacher by the name of Heidi Kelm providing Social Group instruction. My position is made available for those students identified as a child in need of special educational support. Written social/emotional goals are drafted with the help of teachers, parents and the student themselves with the idea that positive changes and practicing can make good things happen.
Family Change Groups are available to any student that has a difficult change in their life and the impact of that change is interfering in their school day. Each grade level has a 30 minute time slot set aside per week where those students that signed up (with parent permission) meet to share stories and support one another. It is our belief that when children have a chance to see that other kids have difficult changes happening in their lives too that they will feel connected and be able to focus on their academics throughout the reminder of the day/week. Invites were sent home on Wed., September 10th through our paper/electronic Wednesday envelope. Please feel free to call me directly if you did not get an invite or you misplaced it. Direct dial #320-963-7547.
Rachel's ChLlenge CLUBis another positive behavior program I facilitate at the elementary school. Students from 5th and 6th grade signed up to be in the club as a leader. Ten students from each 5/6 grade were drawn during one of their lunch periods and announced as the leaders for the CLUB. The mission of that CLUB is to fulfill Rachel Joy Scott's goal to start a chain reaction of kindness. Different projects and outreach ideas are shared and led by this team of students. Last year we successfully led our K-6th grade students through the Pennies For Patients fundraiser. It was a huge success!
I sure hope that you can tell how much I love what I do here at Maple Lake elementary. Your support and fantastic children make working at this school the best job ever!
I sure hope you contact me with any questions, comments, ideas etc. That is how we keep getting better!!
