FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
John L. Winn
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
LINDA K. TAYLOR
MEMORANDUM
Contact Information:
Bettye Hyle
TO:
District School Superintendents
850/922-3727
bhyle@tempest.coedu.usf.edu
FROM:
Cheri Pierson Yecke, Ph.D.
K12: 2006-02
DATE:
January 17, 2006
SUBJECT:
Student Services Week in Florida
We are pleased to announce that February 5-11, 2006, 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 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
CHERI PIERSON YECKE, PH.D.
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CHANCELLOR, K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org
Student Services Week in Florida
January 17, 2006
Page Two
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
offer information relative to their services. The websites listed below provide ideas to facilitate
planning activities for Student Services Week:
National Career Development Association
http://www.ncda.org
American School Counselor Association
http://www.schoolcounselor.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
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.
CYP/hjl
cc:
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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
