Pupil Services
Our team of dedicated professionals provides a wide range of support services to ensure that each child has the opportunity to thrive academically, socially, physically, and emotionally. Pupil Services plays a vital role in promoting student success and well-being, collaborating with educators, families, and the community to empower every student to achieve their dreams and become responsible, well-rounded individuals.
Pupil Services Teams
Counselors
Our School Counselors are key to student success. Here's what they do:
1. Academic Guidance: School Counselors assist students in setting educational goals, choosing courses, and planning their academic paths to ensure they reach their full potential.
2. Personal and Social Development: They provide guidance on personal growth, social skills, and emotional well-being, helping students navigate the challenges of adolescence and develop into well-rounded individuals.
3. College and Career Readiness: School Counselors support students in exploring their career interests and options, helping them make informed decisions about post-secondary education, training, or employment opportunities.
4. Individual Counseling: When students face personal or emotional challenges, School Counselors offer one-on-one counseling to address their specific needs and provide a safe space for expression.
5. Group Counseling: They organize group counseling sessions, fostering peer support and addressing common issues such as stress management, conflict resolution, and social skills.
6. Crisis Intervention: School Counselors are trained to respond to crisis situations, providing immediate support to students and helping them cope with trauma or unexpected events.
7. Conflict Resolution: They mediate conflicts among students, promoting effective communication and peaceful resolution.
8. Parent and Teacher Collaboration: Counselors work collaboratively with parents and teachers to support student success, facilitating communication and understanding.
9. Mental Health Advocacy: They advocate for the mental health needs of students, connecting them with appropriate resources and services.
10. Prevention Programs: School Counselors develop and implement programs that address issues such as bullying prevention, substance abuse awareness, and overall well-being to create a positive school environment.
Our School Counselors are dedicated to helping students thrive academically and personally.
Health Services
Our School Nurses are dedicated to student health and well-being. Here's what they do:
1. Health Assessments: School Nurses conduct health assessments to monitor students' overall well-being, ensuring they are fit for learning and identifying any potential health concerns.
2. Medical Care: They provide essential medical care, such as administering medications, managing chronic health conditions, and responding to injuries or illnesses that occur during school hours.
3. Immunization Compliance: School Nurses help ensure that students are up-to-date with their immunizations, promoting public health and preventing the spread of contagious diseases.
4. Health Education: They educate students about healthy lifestyles, hygiene, nutrition, and the importance of preventive health measures to empower them with lifelong skills.
5. First Aid and Emergency Response: School Nurses are trained to provide immediate first aid and respond to emergencies, ensuring a safe and secure school environment.
6. Health Records Maintenance: They maintain and update student health records, ensuring accurate and confidential documentation of medical information.
7. Communication with Parents: School Nurses communicate with parents and guardians about their child's health status and any necessary follow-up care.
8. Health Screenings: Conducting health screenings, such as vision and hearing tests, to identify potential issues that may impact a student's ability to learn.
9. Health Promotion: Collaborating with teachers and staff to develop and implement health promotion programs that benefit the entire school community.
10. Crisis Preparedness: School Nurses play a role in school crisis preparedness and management, ensuring the health and safety of students in emergency situations.
Our School Nurses play a vital role in student health, safety, and readiness to learn.
For more information visit our Health Service page.
Psychologists
Our School Psychologists are crucial to our students' success. Here's what they focus on:
-
1. Assessing Student Needs: School Psychologists conduct assessments to understand students' academic, social, and emotional needs. These assessments help tailor educational plans and interventions to support each student's unique journey to success.
2. Academic Support: They work closely with educators to develop strategies for students who may be struggling academically. Whether it's helping with learning disabilities, study skills, or testing accommodations, School Psychologists are dedicated to optimizing learning experiences.
3. Social and Emotional Well-being: Promoting students' mental health is a top priority. School Psychologists provide counseling and support to address issues such as stress, anxiety, and social challenges, fostering a positive school climate.
4. Behavior Management: They assist in developing positive behavior support plans, working with students, families, and staff to address challenging behaviors and create a safe and respectful learning environment.
5. Crisis Intervention: School Psychologists are trained to respond to crises, providing immediate support and helping schools recover after challenging events.
6. Special Education Services: They play a vital role in the identification and support of students with disabilities, ensuring they receive appropriate services and accommodations.
7. Collaboration: School Psychologists collaborate with teachers, parents, and other professionals to create a team approach to student success, promoting effective communication and a supportive school community.
8. Data-Driven Decision Making: They analyze data to inform educational practices, helping schools continually improve and adapt to the changing needs of their students.
9. Preventive Programs: Implementing preventive programs such as bullying prevention and substance abuse awareness to create a safer and healthier school environment.
10. Advocacy: School Psychologists advocate for students' well-being, ensuring that their needs are met and that they have equal access to educational opportunities.
Our School Psychologists are dedicated professionals who contribute significantly to the holistic development and success of our students.
Restorative Practices
Overview of Restorative Practices
Restorative Practices is a research-based framework grounded in Indigenous wisdom focused on building, nurturing, and repairing relationships. VASD aims to move from a culture of compliance to one of connection, where every student's voice has power and all identities are honored.
Core Mission & Vision
-
Vision: To make the Restorative Practices framework the cornerstone of the learning community, ensuring every individual is seen, heard, and empowered.
-
Mission: To affirm unique identities and prioritize healing and accountability over exclusion. This approach is designed to disrupt systemic inequities and remove barriers to student success.
Key Benefits
-
Maximized Learning: Prioritizes student wellness and belonging as the foundation for academic success.
-
Accountability: Encourages students to own their actions and academic journeys within a supportive environment.
- Improved Climate: Creates safer, more welcoming school buildings where staff and students feel respected.
- Equitable Practices: Uses restorative interventions to reduce disparities and ensure discipline is fair for all.
Traditional vs. Restorative Approaches
The district is shifting its educational culture across several key areas:
| Area of Focus | Traditional | Restorative |
|---|---|---|
|
The role of authority is to…
|
establish which rules are broken.
|
promote community.
|
|
Students are expected to…
|
comply with authority.
|
be empathic, responsible members of a learning community.
|
|
Relationships are…
|
secondary to academic achievement.
|
fundamental to all meaningful learning.
|
|
In response to harm, the focus is on…
|
placing blame and assigning punishment.
|
helping students accept personal responsibility.
|
|
Conflict is…
|
a barrier to learning.
|
an opportunity to learn from mistakes.
|
|
Change is expected to be…
|
immediate.
|
a process that takes patience and time.
|
The Restorative Questions
When conflict occurs, the district utilizes five key questions to facilitate collaborative dialogue:
-
What happened?
- What were you thinking at the time?
- What have you thought about since?
- Who has been affected by what you have done?
- What do you think you need to do to make things right?
Contact Information
For more details, contact Zeeland Walsh, Restorative Practices Coordinator, at 608-653-1369 or walshz@verona.k12.wi.us.
Social Workers
Our School Social Workers play a vital role in supporting our students' well-being and success. Here's what they do:
1. Student Advocacy: School Social Workers in Wisconsin are champions for our students. They work tirelessly to ensure that each child's needs are recognized and met. This includes advocating for services, accommodations, and resources to support academic success and emotional well-being.
2. Mental Health Support: In today's fast-paced world, the mental health of our students is of paramount importance. School Social Workers provide crucial emotional support, helping students navigate the challenges they face, whether it's stress, anxiety, or other mental health issues. They also connect students and families with community resources when needed.
3. Family Engagement: Building strong partnerships between schools and families is essential for a child's success. School Social Workers facilitate communication between parents, guardians, and educators, ensuring that everyone is on the same page when it comes to a student's education and well-being.
4. Crisis Intervention: School Social Workers are trained to respond effectively to crises within the school community. Whether it's a student experiencing a personal crisis or a broader school-wide issue, they are there to provide support, resources, and guidance to help everyone cope and recover.
5. Conflict Resolution: Conflict is a part of life, but it's essential to teach our students healthy ways to resolve disagreements. School Social Workers assist in conflict resolution efforts, teaching students valuable skills for managing conflicts and promoting a positive school environment.
6. Special Education Support: School Social Workers collaborate with educators and families to ensure that students with special needs receive the appropriate services and accommodations they require to succeed in the classroom.
7. Community Resources: Beyond the school walls, School Social Workers connect families with community resources, such as counseling services, healthcare providers, and food assistance programs, to address their various needs.
8. Diversity and Inclusion: Wisconsin's diverse population is celebrated in our schools. School Social Workers promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that every student feels valued and supported, regardless of their background.
9. Education and Prevention: School Social Workers provide education and prevention programs on a range of topics, from bullying prevention to substance abuse awareness, helping to create a safe and nurturing school environment.
10. Team Collaboration: They work closely with teachers, counselors, administrators, and other support staff to create a holistic approach to student success, fostering a caring and supportive school community.
Our School Social Workers are dedicated to creating a nurturing and inclusive school environment.
