Mrs. Van Den Berg
West Lyon School Social Worker
West Lyon School Social Worker
My name is Mrs. Kelly Van Den Berg. My position is new to West Lyon in January 2022. I am the school social worker and here to provide mental health supports to students in grades 5-12. I come to West Lyon with 20 years of experiences in working with kids and their families with severe trauma histories and behavioral struggles. I have helped clients work through anxiety, grief and loss, anger management, family dynamics, and a variety of other topics. I received my Master of Social Worker from the University of Iowa. I am excited to be at West Lyon to help support students!
Get to know Mrs. Van Den Berg
In my free time I enjoy being outside in nature, fishing, kayaking, and being in the sunshine. My husband and I live south of Inwood on an acreage. I enjoy traveling to the ocean and my family's lake home to relax by the water. I also enjoy reading, crafting, and doing puzzles in the colder months.
Every week 5th and 6th graders will have a SEL class to learn about a variety of topics to improve their social well-being. Throughout the school year, students will learn about how to have a growth mindset, bully prevention, build problem solving skills, emotional awareness, having positive peer interactions, and so much more. The program that is utilized in the classroom is called "Character Strong".
I meet with students in grades 5-12 who may be struggling with any sort of mental health needs. This may include anxiety, depression, negative self-talk, peer interactions, communication skills, self-esteem, or any other struggles. I meet with students typically during their study hall times weekly, every other week, or as needed.
West Lyon has a weekly backpack program to provide some weekend food for families. With the help of the school, WLEA/ISEA, local churches, and community groups, we are able to provide a bag of food items each week to those that qualify for the program.
The backpack program is available to all preschool-12th grade students enrolled in West Lyon Community Schools. To be eligible for the program, your family would need to meet the state yearly income guidelines and you would need to fill out a consent form.
If you are wanting to participate in this program, please fill out the form and return it to the school office. Please note all children’s names that you would like to participate on the form.
Toward the beginning of each month a newsletter is sent out to 7-12 students. Information included focuses on mental health needs, upcoming events, motivation posters, and fun facts.
Check out the Newsletters:
Not only do students need encouragement, but parents too. Click on the links below for some parenting tips and encouragement.