Our Committment to Social Emotional Health

^{The mission and primary purpose of social workers within Bronxdale High School is to aid and rehabilitate students struggling with social emotional issues that impact their academic success in the classroom setting. School social workers are located within the building. Target populations include students who receive mandated counseling services on their IEP, and other students who have been identified as “At-Risk”. This said, any other students in emotional distress can speak with social workers. Main program implementations provided to meet the needs of our target population include individual and group counseling services, classroom observations, home visits, providing connections to community resources, parent and teacher meetings, and crisis intervention. Our mission functions within the parameters of the NASW code of ethics which includes educating and providing resources to support all staff members so that they can ensure the academic and social emotional growth of our students.}

^{Submit a COUNSELING REQUEST if you need it (Click on the request form)--your mental health is very important.}

^{Meet our Social Workers:}

^{Ms. Lopez}

^{My name is Lourdes Lopez and I have been a social worker at Bronxdale since 2015. I earned my Masters of Social Work degree at New York University in 2002 and worked at a community- based organization for 13 years before transitioning to the Department of Education in 2010. I brought with me a great deal of experience in the areas of youth development, child welfare, and mental health treatment. As a therapist in a mental health clinic, I utilized Cognitive Behavioral treatment approaches, as well as an evidence based trauma treatment to address symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in children and adolescents.}

^{Bronxdale is a community that understands that a child’s social and emotional wellness plays a significant role in their academic experience and success. We understand that if we are not addressing the needs of the whole child, we are not doing our job. One of the ways we do this at Bronxdale is by building and fostering relationships with our students. Our teachers do an outstanding job at identifying students who may need additional social/emotional support and connect those students to the counseling department. We provide both individual and group counseling, short term at risk counseling, and referrals to outside mental health services when needed. We look forward to continuing to build a caring community!}

^{Ms. DeBellis}

^{Prior to transitioning into my Social Work role, I completed my Masters in Education at Hunter College and worked as a special educator in the DOE for five years. As a special educator, I learned that in order for students to be their best academic selves, they first need to be their best emotional selves. It’s hard for students to pay attention to what’s going on in class when they are distracted by thoughts that are louder than the class content. Additionally, I learned that meaningful relationships are the most powerful vehicle for change, both academic and social emotional.}

^{I fulfilled my Masters in Social Work at Rutgers University and soon after began working as one of the Social Workers at Bronxdale High School. I offer students the tools they need to be able to cope in difficult moments so that they can be present in their academic coursework. I use research based strategies alongside an empathetic and accommodating approach in the design and implementation of student interventions. I offer a safe, non-judgmental space where students can process whatever barriers may be present. My meetings with students are goal driven and cultivate meaningful relationships that foster both academic achievement and healthy social emotional development. Student and family referrals are provided on a case by case basis.}

^{I look forward to supporting you or your student here at Bronxdale!}

Lourdes Lopez Social Worker

llopez@bronxdalehs.org 718-944-3655x1101

Room 113 X1101