FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
?
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
?
JOHN L. WINN
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
JULIA L. JOHNSON
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
LINDA K. TAYLOR
Contact Person
Name:
Bettye Hyle
Phone:
850-922-3727
Suncom:
292-3727
Email:
bhyle@tempest.coedu.usf.edu
DPS: 05-074
MEMORANDUM
TO:
?
District School Superintendents
FROM:
?
Jim Warford
K-12 Chancellor
?
January 13, 2005
SUBJECT:
?
Student Services Week in Florida
We are pleased to announce that February 6-12, 2005, is established as Student Services Week in
the state of Florida. This provides an opportunity for school personnel to focus attention on the
support services that are provided by school counselors, school nurses, school social workers,
school psychologists, and career education staff.
Student services programs are an integral part of the total public education system and support the
State Board of Education’s Strategic Imperative 3: Improve Student Rates of Learning. Student
services professionals work together to assist students in acquiring the knowledge, skills, and
competencies needed to master the Sunshine State Standards and make well-reasoned and healthy
lifelong decisions. It is important to recognize that academic performance is impacted by
JIM WARFORD
K – 12 Chancellor
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org
DPS Memorandum - Student Services Week in Florida
January 13, 2005
Page 2
developmental factors (i.e., readiness and parental involvement) and school and community
factors (i.e., safe school environment, learning environment, teachers, and staff). An extensive
and growing body of research demonstrates the value of providing supportive programs and
services in order to increase student achievement. In turn, addressing the mental and physical
health needs of students enhances school attendance, reduces behavior problems, and improves
interpersonal skills. This enables students to learn and teachers to teach, and strengthens the
bond between families and schools, thus maximizing student achievement.
Student services professionals have the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to reduce
barriers to learning and assist classroom teachers, parents, and community agencies in providing
a safe and positive learning environment for all children. These services are provided directly to
teachers, to parents, and to the community. School improvement teams can use student services,
activities, and resources to facilitate the school and/or district improvement plans.
To foster recognition and appreciation of the contributions of student services professionals, we
encourage your district to support the role of student services by developing local activities to
inform citizens of the many ways that these services contribute to the educational success and
personal development of all students. The national professional associations for student services
disciplines offer information relative to their services. The websites listed below provide ideas
to incorporate planning activities for Student Services Week:
National Career Development Association
http://www.ncda.org
American School Counselor Association
http://www.schoolcouncelor.org
National Association of School Nurses
http://www.nasn.org
National Association of School Psychologists
http://www.nasponline.org/
National Association of Social Workers
http://www.naswdc.org
DPS Memorandum - Student Services Week in Florida
January 13, 2005
Page 3
Thank you for the leadership that you are providing to strengthen the roles of student services
professionals with teachers, students, and families in your district. If you have questions related
to Student Services Week activities or programs, please contact Bettye Hyle.
JW/hjl
cc:
?
Assistant Superintendents for Instruction
Student Services Directors
Supervisors of School Counseling Services
Supervisors of School Health Services
Supervisors of School Psychological Services
Supervisors of School Social Work Services
Career and Technical Education Directors
Safe and Drug Free School Coordinators
Dropout Prevention Coordinators
ESE Directors
