Plainfield SD 202 Offers Social-Emotional Programs For Students

PLAINFIELD, IL — To help support its students' social-emotional learning and academic success, Plainfield School District 202 announced summer support programs to prepare students for class in the fall.

"This work is critically important for our students and families as we get ready to return to school full-time in August after a very challenging school year," Jason Stanley, district director of private placement and transition, said in a statement.

Hartgrove Behavioral Health System, which partners with District 202, is among the providers of programs for students this summer. Hartgrove recently added two new summer therapy groups for children in 2nd through 8th grades. "Expression Through Art" and "Chill Out This Summer" are virtual, and supplies include coloring materials, glue, scissors, paper lunch bags and paper plates.

The district is also providing counseling for families over the summer through Hartgrove. Services include virtual and in-person group or individual sessions. Although Hartgrove is an insurance-based clinic, they also help students who receive public aid.

The Plainfield Parent Community Network will also host a specific program, called "Getting Kids Back to School After a Pandemic," that will help parents be able to talk to their kids about their fears and anxieties around returning to normal, in-person-schooling routines post-COVID. The event will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 12 at Plainfield North High School, 12005 248th Ave.

District 202 recently hired 20 new social workers across the district, among other initiatives to help address students' emotional challenges, according to a news release. The district also implemented anonymous social-emotional learning hotlines.

Earlier this month, about 150 teachers, administrators and social workers attended Mental Health First Aid Certification training to further help students.

More counseling-related services can be found through the district's referral website.