The mission of the P.S. 54 Student Center is to provide and promote an outstanding educational and social/emotional experience for all students. We do this by facilitating and providing an array of services and programs in partnership with other educators, parents/guardians, Columbia University School of Social Work and the community.
Our center is dedicated to promoting an environment of mutual respect, where all children feel valued, accepted and embraced regardless of where they come from, their creed, social economic status and preference.
Our Student Center equips all students with the tools necessary to help them reach their true intellectual and human potential by developing the critical thinking skills, understandings, perseverance, and emotional strength needed to succeed in school, career and life.
The Student Center empowers our students to leave their mark on society, succeed throughout their lives, and become human beings who would value, love, and respect themselves as well as others.
The Student Center fosters an environment that honors all members by teaching them to embrace, celebrate and value the rich diversity of our school community.
The P.S. 54 Student Services Center is located on the 5th floor in room 501. The Center features five round tables with exciting red chairs, a rocking chair and two plush sofas for students to enjoy. We offer wellness books that students may borrow from our Lending Library (students may sign out one book at a time). In addition, students always have access to Art supplies, games, and The Cooling Down Center (a table that houses our kit of fun activities and coping technique suggestions to reduce anger). We welcome any student with a pass to chat with a Social Worker.
The Student Services Center is staffed by a full time Licensed Master Social Worker, Mrs. Ilarraza, and four Social Work interns from Columbia University's School of Social Work. Mrs. Ilarraza has over 10 years of Social Work experience with special training in Crisis Intervention and First Aide for Military Families dealing with Deployments.
Ø The focal point of the student center is to provide a risk-free and supportive environment where all students feel welcomed, understood and loved.
Ø By focusing on the needs of students, we are able to assist and support teachers teach students within the classroom ensuring a higher level of student success.
Ø All students must be treated with dignity.
Ø All students have the potential for academic, social/emotional, and behavioral growth.
Ø All students must have access to counseling services.
Ø Counseling services are consistent with the developmental stages of student learning and are grounded in best practices.
Ø The Student Center provides opportunities for all students to learn and grow through leadership education programs, community service and teaching students empowerment and advocacy
Organizational skills Anger management Bereavement (Death) New to P.S. 54 Social Skills (How to make\keep friends) Self-esteem Community Service Anxiety Coping with Military Deployments Divorce/ Separation Conflicts with peers Coping with Incarceration
Ø Morning Announcement Internship program
Ø Respect for All in Classroom Workshops
Ø Anti-Cyber Bullying Classroom Workshops
Ø Safe Touch Workshops
Ø The Cooling Down Center
Ø The Wellness Book Lending Library
Ø Conflict Resolution Program
Ø Student Council Program
Ø Earth Day Garden Project & Poster Contest
Ø Social Work Month Song/Poetry Contest
Ø Dance Committees * Middle School Articulation
Ø Social Work Internship Program
Ø Outside Community Mental Health Referrals
Ø Parent Workshops
Ø PBIS/C9W Postal Service
Ø Chess program
Ø My Brother’s Keeper
Ø Peer Mediation
Ø Restorative Circle
Ø Yoga
Ø Girl Rising Program for Girls
Ø Career Internship Program in Partnership with Fordham University
You may also want to check out the NYC Library's summer reading Challenge online for toddlers to Middle School Students. Challenge participants will be able to log their books, rate their reads, earn badges and more. The link to the NYC Library website is http://www.nypl.org/events/summerreading
A website that offers free reading games for younger students is www.starfall.com
(Students: Be safe. Don't put your personal information on the internet for others to see. Keep your passwords, PINS, real name, age, address, school, and grade private. Ask your parent or guardian for help if you aren't sure what to do.)
General Physical & Mental Health:
Kids health www.kidshealth.org
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network http://www.nctsnet.org
Women & Children's Help Network http://www.cyh.com/SubDefault.aspx?p=255
Mindfulness:
Go Noodle www.gonoodle.com
Academic Assistance:
Dial A Teacher www.homeworknyc.org
Starfall www.starfall.com
Attendance:
Attendance Works www.attendanceworks.org
Anti-Bullying:
Stop Bulling www.stopbullying.org
The pacer www.pacer.org
http://www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org/#/home
Career & Future Planning:
My future http://www.myfuture.com/
Go College http://www.gocollege.com/admissions/
Military Resources:
Military One Source http://www.militaryonesource.mil/