School Social Worker at Graham Hill Elementary

Greetings,

I am eager to join the team at Graham Hill Elementary for the beginning of the 2020-21 school year! Online learning this year provides great challenges and opportunities and still- your child’s success at school is important to me.

I am a caring and responsible school social worker. I have worked in the past as a school counselor and I am excited to continue my work of supporting the whole school- students, parents, teachers, staff, and outside partners. I take a strengths-based and holistic approach to my work in schools. My role includes and is not limited to individual check-ins,small group counseling, classroom lessons, referrals, resource connection, and consultation.

Success means something different to everyone. One of my favorite interpretations of success comes from late and the great Maya Angelou. She said“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” To me, success in K-5 education is when we enjoy learning new things,are skillful in making friends, feel comfortable at school, feel confident in our abilities, have a positive relationship with our teachers, and see ourselves as kind, safe, respectful, and responsible learners.

COVID-19 has had devastating impacts on our community and in our lives- on our physical health, on our ability to work, and our ability to cope with stress an anxiety. Now more than ever, it is important to stay connected with one another to offer support and to understand what resources are available to us.

Are there any barriers that you or your child face? Are there great ideas that you have about making our school a more welcoming and positive place to be? Do you have ways that you would like to contribute our school? Please let me know! I can be contacted at ddgagnon@seattleschools.org.

Here is a list of back-to-school programs:

Connection: I am available to meet with you and your child for any support, counseling, or coaching, please send me an email to  ddgagnon@seattleschools.org

Shoes: We have a partnership with Nike, where 50 Graham Hill families will receive a free pair of sneakers.

Clothing: We have a partnership with JC Penny where 40 Graham Hill families will receive $125 in clothing. Complete this Form by October 1st to request to participate in the JC Penny partnership.

Financial Assistance: We have a partnership with Alliance 4 Education and many caring individual donors who understand that people need help for rent, food, and other basic needs. If you would like to donate or need financial assistance.

Food: I am hoping to relaunch our partnership with the Rainier Valley Food Bank. If you would like to pick up fresh groceries at on Fridays, and/or would be willing to help volunteer in packing those groceries,  please complete fill out this form to participate in the Food Program .

I look forward to partnering with you for a successful school year.

Respectfully,

Daniel Gagnon
School Social Worker
Graham Hill Elementary