School Adjustment Counselor PK-8, 9-12 (Anticipated)

Holyoke Public Schools•Holyoke, MA

About The Position

DISTRICT OVERVIEW Holyoke Public Schools (HPS) serves 5,400 students in 12 schools and employs nearly 1,500 people. The District was placed into receivership by the State of Massachusetts in Spring 2015, due to struggling performance well below the state average. Dr. Stephen Zrike Jr., a seasoned Massachusetts educator, was selected as Receiver to lead this exciting turnaround effort, which includes significant autonomy and flexibility from the traditional school system. Since being in receivership, the District has experienced many promising successes, including an 8-point increase in graduation rates and 29-point decrease in the number of students who drop-out. HPS has also extended the school day for students in preschool to 8th grade, expanded choice programs such as dual language and personalized learning, and offering new opportunities to students, such as computer science and many other enrichment programs. For more information about the HPS Turnaround Plan, please visit: https://www.hps.holyoke.ma.us/turnaround/ . Job Description: Performs casework service with parents as an integral part of helping students to increase the parents’ understanding, their constructive participation in resolving their child’s problems, and their knowledge and use of appropriate resources available. Consults and collaborates with other school personnel in gathering and giving information on a case, and in establishing and planning for respective roles in the modification of student’s behavior. Makes home visits for the purpose of gathering helpful information on a student’s background. Serves as a liaison between home and school when considerable follow-up is necessary. Maintains student records and protects their confidentiality. Communicates to school personnel an understanding of the physical, social, emotional and psychological factors that strengthen or detract from a student’s academic achievement. Acts as a liaison between home, school and community. Provides educational, behavior management and mental health information and consultation to school personnel, parents and the community. Works jointly with other school personnel to identify students’ needs, and makes use of staff resources to help bring about positive changes. Assists students’ families and school personnel in identifying strengths that enhance educational, social and emotional growth. Supports students returning to school settings after a period in a juvenile justice or other facility; assists them in making the transition back to school and developing individual plans; and facilitates as a liaison between students’ teachers, families and other, appropriate persons to ensure a satisfactory re-entry to school. Work with students on an individual basis on the solution of personal problems related to home and family relations, health and emotional adjustments. Facilitates student support team meetings to determine needs of students and plan/implement appropriate interventions Collaborates with Guidance Counselors to create academic courseload for students Other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree
Massachusetts Certification in Academic Professional Support Personnel, School Social Worker/Adjustment Counselor with SEI Endorsement prefferred.
Communication Skills with parents
Commitment to ensuring academic success for all students
Ability to read, interpret, and apply student performance data to instructional planning and execution
Strong written and verbal communication skills; excellent teamwork skills

Nice To Haves

Experience working in an urban setting, preferred
Experience working with diverse student populations, preferred
Bilingual applicants (Spanish) strongly encouraged to apply

Responsibilities

Performs casework service with parents as an integral part of helping students to increase the parents’ understanding, their constructive participation in resolving their child’s problems, and their knowledge and use of appropriate resources available.
Consults and collaborates with other school personnel in gathering and giving information on a case, and in establishing and planning for respective roles in the modification of student’s behavior.
Makes home visits for the purpose of gathering helpful information on a student’s background.
Serves as a liaison between home and school when considerable follow-up is necessary.
Maintains student records and protects their confidentiality.
Communicates to school personnel an understanding of the physical, social, emotional and psychological factors that strengthen or detract from a student’s academic achievement.
Acts as a liaison between home, school and community.
Provides educational, behavior management and mental health information and consultation to school personnel, parents and the community.
Works jointly with other school personnel to identify students’ needs, and makes use of staff resources to help bring about positive changes.
Assists students’ families and school personnel in identifying strengths that enhance educational, social and emotional growth.
Supports students returning to school settings after a period in a juvenile justice or other facility; assists them in making the transition back to school and developing individual plans; and facilitates as a liaison between students’ teachers, families and other, appropriate persons to ensure a satisfactory re-entry to school.
Work with students on an individual basis on the solution of personal problems related to home and family relations, health and emotional adjustments.
Facilitates student support team meetings to determine needs of students and plan/implement appropriate interventions
Collaborates with Guidance Counselors to create academic courseload for students
Other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.