Student Services Newsletter
Everything you need to know about our department
RSMS STUDENT SERVICES STAFFING:
We wanted to remind you of our Student Services team staffing changes this year. School counselors loop with their grade level, so here are the 2021-22 assignments.
(You may click on the name to directly email.)
School Counselors
6th Grade: Ms. Kim Garavaglia, 636-891- 6876
7th Grade: Ms. Ashley Bequette, 636-891-6878
8th Grade: Mrs. Jaime Finck, 636-891-6877
Social Worker
Mrs. Ashley O’Daniel, 636-891-6879
Google Voice # 636-492-1175
Registrar/Student Services Secretary
Mrs. Ellen Heskett, 636-891-6853
Don't miss our "Meet the Teacher" documents attached to the bottom of this newsletter!
NEED TO SEE THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR OR SOCIAL WORKER???
GETTING TO KNOW OUR STUDENTS
ROLE OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELORS
- Talking to students when they need help with issues related to school, home, or friends.
- Delivering the Missouri Comprehensive Guidance Program in classroom lessons
- Creating Student Schedules
- Attending teacher team meetings to ensure student success
- Support to Special Needs Students
- Planning whole group presentations to address student needs
MISSOURI COMPREHENSIVE GUIDANCE PROGRAM
One role of School Counselors is to deliver the comprehensive guidance program. This includes lessons in three categories: Personal/Social, Academic, and Career. The first lesson of the year will be a get-to-know-you activity; this will take place in the first weeks of September. Following these presentations, we will be having CHADS Coalition speak to 7th and 8th grade students on the Signs of Suicide (SOS); this is scheduled for October and November. Letters will come home with 7th and 8th grade students with more information regarding the SOS presentations.
ROLE OF THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER
- Liaison for teachers, administrators, parents, and students between school, home, and community agencies
- Helping students learn to manage their emotions and behaviors
- Monitoring attendance and working to remove any barriers to a students' education
- Making sure all students' basic needs are met by managing the RSMS Pantry and providing resources
- Providing support to students and families experiencing homelessness so children and youth can enroll in, attend, and succeed in school
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Research shows that in order for learning to take place, it is vital that basic needs are met first. In an effort to make sure that all our student’s basic needs are met, we have a few ways that we can be of assistance to families in need. Below you can click to see our Financial Assistance Application. Although this form is very detailed, it provides us with an accurate representation of your current circumstances and allows us to identify areas in which we can be of assistance.
Although you may complete this form at any time, in order to be considered for our holiday assistance program, the RSMS Financial Assistance Form is due by October 25th. If you are interested in applying, please indicate "holiday assistance" on the "other" line. If you need help printing the form and/or have additional questions about financial assistance please contact RSMS School Social Worker or your student's School Counselor.
Looking for ways to help other RSMS families?
Rockwood South houses a pantry within our building and it takes many volunteers to run the pantry. Volunteer slots can be found here:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090e4baca82aabfa7-food
*Students may help volunteer in organizing the pantry with a parent present.
If you are unable to volunteer but would like to make a monetary donation or donate items to the pantry, please look here to see what the RSMS Pantry is currently in need of:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e4eaaa82ba2f94-rsms
Monetary Donations can be made here: https://rsmsfalconspso.square.site/product/helping-hands-donation/17?cs=true&cst=custom
*if you need a receipt for tax reporting purposes, please request one from Ashley O'Daniel
South Tech High School Virtual Open House - Thursday November 4
In the past, we have attended South Tech High School as an 8th grade field trip to show students the opportunities available there. Due to COVID, those field trips did not occur last year or this school year. However, there is a virtual open house coming up on November 4!
Note from South Tech: Our application is open for 10th graders to apply for next fall but 8th-9th graders are also encouraged to attend the open house to start planning for their future. While most of our programs are 2-year programs we will place incoming seniors if space allows.
South Tech offers dual-enrollment for high school students in 26 different programs, ranging from Dental Sciences to Culinary Arts to Early Childhood Education and Construction Trades. (Dual enrollment means students attend their home school {Summit} for part of the day and South Tech for part of the day.) Some of these programs offer certificates, meaning students can go straight into the workforce after graduation, and some programs allow students to get a jump start on college credits. Visit their website and/or attend the virtual open house for more info!