Need to talk? Need someone to listen and help? Lancaster High School students can always seek their guidance counselors, but they may also find consolation in the school social worker. This Eye of the Gale Staff Spotlight features Mrs. Nicole DeLeon. Her commitment to student well-being has become a pillar of support for LHS and the Lancaster community.
DeLeon’s position as the Family & Student Support Coordinator is to be the liaison between home and school for students.
“I’m concerned with ensuring our students have everything they need from home, school, and their community to be successful. I link our students and their families with resources from our community to meet their needs and make sure they are happy, healthy and safe,” DeLeon said.
While her job is similar in ways to the guidance counselors at LHS, she manages the outside factors that may affect students.
“My job overlaps in many ways with the job of our school counselors and we work closely together to ensure all of our students’ needs are met. School counselors are focused primarily on academic support, social-emotional development, and post-graduation guidance. Whereas, my job as the school social worker focuses more on addressing home, community and systemic factors that may be impacting a student’s learning and overall well being. I’m focused on providing resources and linking families to external support,” said DeLeon.
She has a special sidekick in her companion, Birdie May, a registered support animal.
“Birdie May is a certified therapy dog, which means she is trained to provide comfort, emotional support, and positive social interaction for our students and staff. Interacting with a therapy dog can help calm students who are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or upset. Just the act of petting a dog has been shown to lower stress levels and help students to relax and regulate. I also believe having Birdie May here helps to create a welcoming and supportive school climate at LHS,” said DeLeon.
According to a research article, published in Frontiers Veterinary Science, the number of therapy dogs in education settings across the globe is increasing.
“Dogs have provided therapeutic support in early education settings, primary and secondary schools, as well as university settings to support students’ well-being, promote a sense of belonging in school, reduce stress and anxiety, and even facilitate learning” (Wardlaw).
Together DeLeon and Birdie May team up to help students who require a shoulder to lean on, advice, or just a sympathetic ear. However, if a student requires mental health counseling or basic needs such as housing due to homelessness, food, clothes, utilities, or hygiene items, DeLeon is available to reach out to the community for assistance to address those needs. To schedule an appointment with her, students may email DeLeon directly at [email protected]. They may also complete a Request to See a Counselor form found in their Google Classrooms or via the QR link posted throughout the building.
Students and teachers spend thousands of hours at school every year. Research suggests that to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally, students need to feel that they are in a safe, caring, and healthy place in which to learn. No matter what students may lack, it is important for them to know that LHS can provide a starting point for them to get the resources they need. No one needs to be afraid or embarrassed to reach out to the many professionals who may be able to help. Remember, LHS is the place to be.
