PSEA MEETING
March 26, 2003
Announcements:
- Due to high terrorism alerts, Erick’s school in Chicago has cancelled all field trips, so his students will be unable to attend Spring Fest this year
- However, PSEA members can still sign up to serve as a pen pal to a student from Erick’s class—they can do so by contacting Katie
- Our next meeting will be on Thursday, May 1, 2003 @ 7 p.m., in BRNG 1268—the topic will be “Student Teachers”
Speakers:
Sue Mullendore and Sharon White
Topics:
School Counselors (presented by Sue) and Child Abuse (presented by Sharon)
SCHOOL COUNSELORS
Background on Sue:
- School counselor at Pleasant Hill and Lester B. Sommer elementary schools in Crawfordsville, IN
- Has also been a high school counselor
- Was a Montgomery County educator for 20 years
- Is a Purdue alumni
What School Counselors Do:
- Lend a helping hand, make themselves visible and accessible
- Help students to erase their worries, heal hurts, and let go of regrets
- Aid students in self-image and self-esteem issues
- Remain mindful of students’ developmental levels
- Question students in order to aid them in discovering their own answers
- Offer coping strategies
- Help with communication, problem-solving, decision-making, conflict resolution, and study skills
- Promote multicultural awareness
- Coordinate school programs
- Meet with teachers and parents to find ways to help students
- Make referrals to self-help groups, community agencies, and agency counselors
- Give presentations to teachers and parents on topics concerning students
- Offer hope!
Referrals to the School Counselor Can Come From:
- The students themselves
- The principal
- The nurse
- Teachers
- Support staff
- Parents
- Friends
*Also: the day after the United States declared war on Iraq, the counselors at Lester B. Sommer Elementary distributed a newsletter for parents, addressing issues such as how to talk to children about war, how to handle the media and the news, deployment, and child safety—with regard to the recent recovery of Elizabeth Smart
CHILD ABUSE:
Age-Appropriate Terminology When Discussing Child Abuse with Children:
- Before 3rd grade: “good touch/bad touch”
- 3rd grade and up: “child abuse”
Child Abuse Can Be:
- Physical
- Sexual
- Mental/emotional/verbal
- Neglect
Indicators of Abuse:
- Unexplained burns, fractures, abrasions or lacerations
- Torn or bloodstained clothing
- Poor hygiene or inappropriate clothing
- Behavioral indicators such as delinquency, extreme fear of physical contact, unbelievable explanations for injuries
*Note: behavioral indicators are not always reliable! They may be the result of other sources, such as a learning disability
What Teachers Must Know:
- Child abuse of any kind is a crime
- Any person who suspects child abuse is required by law to report the incident
- Failure to do so is a Class B Misdemeanor
- It is important to pay attention to students and the questions they ask, and follow up on any suspicious behaviors or comments
If a Teacher Suspects Abuse:
- Document instances and have witnesses
- Have facts when reporting the incident, including child’s name, age, address, and any information about the abuser
- Follow school protocol when reporting
- Know that anonymous reports can be given, but these tend to be less credible
When a Child Discloses:
- Talk with the child in a private place
- Use the child’s vocabulary
- Reassure the child
- Think first of their immediate safety
- Do NOT call the child’s parents!!!!
- Let the child know the information will continue beyond you (it will be reported and investigated by other professionals)
- No matter what you know of the child, listen and believe them!
Following the Disclosure:
- Try not to treat the child or his/her caretakers any differently
- Follow up on the report!
- Respect confidentiality—do not discuss the situation with others, particularly when other students or people are around, who may know the child