Emotional Support Squad (ESS)
Welcome to the Emotional Support Squad (ESS) at PS 18!
Our ESS team is made up of caring professionals dedicated to supporting every student and family in the PS 18 community. Meet Ms. Goncalves, our school counselor; Mr. Zinzi, our school social worker; and Mrs. Scarola, our SBST social worker. Together, we provide emotional support, guidance, and resources to help students thrive both in and out of the classroom.
Our Top Priority
Our biggest priority is making sure students feel positive and emotionally supported every day. We offer a safe space where students can go whenever they need emotional help or assistance in regulating their feelings. We strive to be present and visible—from morning arrival throughout the school day—offering many opportunities for connection and engagement.
What We Do
Visit every classroom at the start of the year to review important Chancellor’s Regulations that contribute to a safe and healthy environment.
Provide “Need to Talk” forms in every classroom, encouraging students to advocate for themselves and reach out for support whenever they need it.
Collaborate with teachers and staff to create a welcoming, inclusive school community.
Connect families with community resources and supports to meet their unique needs.
Parents and Guardians
ESS is here for you too! You are our greatest resource—no one knows your child or family better than you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to any ESS member if you need support. Along with counseling and engagement inside the school, we offer access to many community services. Keep an eye out for upcoming online parent workshops designed to support and empower you.
The ESS team is here to listen, help, and support every member of our PS 18 family!
Monday-Friday
fzinzi@schools.nyc.gov
(718) 464-4167, ext. 2251.
Mr. Zinzi is our full-time school social worker. He has been in the field of social work for 30 years and in that time, he has discovered that schools are the best place to try and make a positive impact on the lives of young people. There is no place he loves doing this more than in the fantastic community of PS 18!
His counseling approach blends multiple clinical modalities combined with a strong emphasis on trust, positive relationship building and “meeting the students where they are at,” so that they feel seen, heard, respected and understood.
In addition to providing at-risk counseling services and behavioral support, Mr. Zinzi believes very strongly in active prevention and student engagement. During recess, Mr. Zinzi runs a lunchtime intramural soccer program where students in Grades 3-5 can have the opportunity to learn valuable teamwork and sportsmanship skills while being physically active and having fun! In addition, Mr. Zinzi frequently takes advantage of the WIN (What I Need) period and some lunch periods to run his “Positive Connections” tabletop gaming groups and the "Magic: the Gathering" club. These small, supervised groups promote social skills, cooperation and relationship building. Mr. Zinzi is also one of the coaches of the PS 18 Soccer team.
Feel free to come and talk to him in person during morning arrival- he’s out there every day! If not, please reach out to him by the phone number or email listed below.
Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays
MGoncalves6@schools.nyc.gov
718-464-4167
Mrs. Goncalves is the new school counselor here at PS 18. She is thrilled to join our school and looks forward to building strong connections with both students and families.
Mrs. Goncalves will be at PS 18 on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, offering counseling services designed to support the social, emotional, and academic needs of our students. Her work includes providing mandated counseling for students with IEPs, offering guidance to students who may be experiencing challenges, helping families access useful resources, and supporting students as they navigate the transition to middle school.
With a warm and compassionate approach, Mrs. Goncalves creates a safe space where students feel heard, valued, and supported. She believes that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive in an environment rooted in empathy and understanding.
She is honored to be a part of each student’s journey and is here to walk alongside families every step of the way. Please don’t hesitate to reach out, she’s excited to collaborate and help our children grow and succeed!
Tuesdays and Fridays
cscarola@schools.nyc.gov
718-464-4167
Mrs. Scarola is our bilingual School Social Worker, serving PS18 on Tuesdays and Fridays. With over 20 years of experience, she works closely with our School Psychologist to assist with the academic evaluation process. Mrs. Scarola meets with parents to help them understand this process and answers any questions they may have.
Fluent in Spanish, Mrs. Scarola enjoys being a part of our diverse community and loves engaging with students to celebrate their cultural backgrounds. She creates socialization groups for Spanish-speaking students, where they can share their cultural pride and traditions.
In addition, Mrs. Scarola provides at-risk counseling to support students' emotional and social needs. Friendly, energetic, and compassionate, she focuses on building strong relationships with students based on trust, empathy, and respect.
Feel free to stop by and say hi! Mrs. Scarola is out there greeting kids every Tuesday and Friday morning during arrival.
ESS Mission
The mission of the PS 18Q school counseling program, through collaboration with the entire school community, is to equip all students with the tools they need to reach their full potential as whole individuals. We provide a safe, warm, and encouraging environment focused on developing resilient lifelong learners ready to face future challenges. Our program fosters inclusivity so students carry these lessons beyond school into the wider community.
ESS Vision
At PS 18, we Dream Big, Inspire Each Other, and Achieve Success—motivating every student to trust and believe in themselves.
Stay Connected
86-35 235th Court
Queens Village, New York 11427
Phone: 718-464-4167
Fax: 718-464-4273
