Mental Health Wellness

Universal Supports

All students at PS 36 receive at least one period of school that is used to address social emotional wellness. This is used to introduce and reinforce our character traits of the month and help students address trauma and provide coping skills. We use a Book of the Month to provide a common discussion across classrooms about character traits.  

We also believe in a restorative approach to classroom management, which is a framework for building community and for responding to challenging behavior through authentic dialogue. Restorative Practices shift the conversation between teachers and students to be less punishment-oriented and to offer an opportunity for all people affected by an action to have dialogue about how to make things right and restore the classroom community. Some of our restorative approaches include the use of community circles and peace corners.

Selective Services

Students who are struggling with academic or social needs may be referred for individual or group counseling. Our partners at NY Foundling also provide a group program for parents called The Incredible Years, which is aimed at providing strategies to deescalate conflicts.   

Individual Services

Students may receive individual counseling by the school’s guidance counselor, Ms. Mathurin, the school's social worker, or a licensed social worker from NY Foundling. Ms. Mathurin, Ms. Menendez, and the social workers meet as the Student Support Team to coordinate case loads, monitor selective services, and design universal supports. The Student Support Team also intervenes when a student exhibits signs of a mental health crisis during the school day.

School-Based Mental Health Clinic

NY Foundling operates a state-approved Article 31 satellite clinic available for the PS 36 community in room 258. NY Foundling can also make referrals for families to their community-based centers. For more information click the image below. Parents or teachers can make a referral for students by reaching out to Ms. Menendez or Ms. Mathurin.  Foundling's nearest community clinic is at 109 E. 115th Street. They can be reached at 917.485.7280 or click the image below for more information.