School District 189 wants to ensure that all students are at school every day - healthy, supported, and ready to learn. We focus on fostering a positive culture and climate with welcoming environments and high-quality instruction that supports the health and social-emotional well-being of every student. 

If you or someone you know is struggling, please know it is okay to ask for help.  Many of us need additional emotional or mental health support.  Help is available.  School District 189 has caring, trauma-informed adults at each school ready to meet student needs.  Students who need someone to talk with should ask for the School Social Worker.  Additionally, School District 189 students can view these numbers on the back of their student ID cards when more resources are needed:

• If there is an emergency, call 9-1-1.
• If you feel suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
• If you want help via text, text HOME to 741741.
• If you want to explore complicated issues ( like mental health, trauma, bullying, substance abuse or challenges with friends) freely and confidentially, visit the Ripple Effects site through your Clever app. 
• If you need Chromebook or Skyward help, call 618-646-3322.

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Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Mission 

Our purpose is to focus on educating the whole child. We are dedicated to collaborating with families, staff, and the community to provide direct services to students and develop school systems that further the social, emotional, and academic growth of all students. 

Vision 

To empower students to develop the skills to collaborate, communicate, evaluate, think critically, cope and regulate emotions. Students will strive to develop a mindset of growth, self confidence, and self efficacy. 

Values

As Social Emotional Learning Social Workers and Counselors, we are dedicated to fostering safe, inclusive, and empowering learning environments. We uphold the following core values: 

1. The right to a high quality education

We believe that every student – regardless of background or circumstance– deserves access to high quality education that supports their full academic, emotional, and social development. We strive to prepare students to thrive in an ever changing world. 

2. Integrity 

We uphold the highest ethical standards in our work, maintaining honesty, transparency, and accountability in our relationships with students, families, educators, and communities. 

3. Equity 

We actively work to identify and eliminate inequities within the education system, advocating for fair policies, resources, and practices that ensure all students have what they need to succeed. 

4. Social Justice 

We are committed to confronting systematic oppression and promoting social change. We empower marginalized students and families while collaborating with others to create more just and inclusive schools. 

5. Competence 

We engage in continuous professional growth and evidence based practice to provide effective, culturally responsive services that meet the evolving needs of school communities. 

6. Dignity and Worth of every person 

We affirm the inherent value and potential of every student, family member, and colleague. We cultivate environments of respect, acceptance, and empathy. 

7. Service                                                                                                                                                                                              We serve as advocates, resource connectors, and change agents- prioritizing the well-being of students and supporting their ability to thrive academically and personally. 

8. Importance of Human Relationships 

We recognize that positive, supportive relationships are central to student success. We build collaborative partnerships with families, educators, and communities to foster connection, trust, and shared responsibility. 

Social Emotional School Social Workers/Counselors help students:

• Understand themselves and others.
• Improve interpersonal relationships.
• Cope with stress and learn the skills to be resilient.
• Develop decision making skills.

Social Emotional School Social Workers/Counselors help parents:

• Participate actively and effectively in their children's education.
• Understand and meet their children's social and emotional needs.
• Understand programs available to students.
• Utilize school and community resources effectively.

Social Emotional School Social Workers/Counselors help schools:

• Understand factors (cultural, societal, economic, familial, health, etc.) that affect students' abilities to make maximum use of their school experience.
• Utilize their resources in meeting the educational, social and emotional needs of students.
• Promote a safe school environment.

 

Basic Needs Resources 

• United Way 100 Neediest Cases- please contact your school social worker to complete the application by September 15, 2025.
• United Way 2-1-1. Receive support by dialing 2-1-1 on the phone dialpad. 

Mental Health Resources

• Hoyleton Youth and Family Services 
• Chestnut Health Systems
• Brightpoint 
• Comprehensive Behavioral Health Services 
• Heartlinks 

Telehealth Options 

• Care Solace
• Hazel Health
• Gaggle Therapy 
• Cartwheel

In order to meet the needs of the whole child, the Illinois State Board of Education developed social-emotional learning standards, which must be implemented in all schools. These standards are designed to explicitly teach the skills students need to develop self-awareness, self-management, social-awareness, responsible decision making, and positive relationships with adults and peers. The social emotional learning standards prepare students to engage within the learning environment, to increase overall academic gains. Research has found students who have received explicit instruction in the SEL competencies, have seen an average increase of 11 percentile points on standardized assessments when compared to students who did not receive the additional instruction (Durlak et al., 2001). 

Social Emotional Learning

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SPEAK UP 189!
Are you concerned about the safety of yourself or a friend or classmate? You can report bullying, planned fights, weapons at school, students in crisis or other urgent situations by emailing speakup@estl189.com or by calling/texting 618.515.2165 and sharing your concern. Reports are confidential so nobody will know you made the report. Let's keep our schools safe.

 

Safe2Help Illinois
Safe2Help Illinois is a 24/7 program where students can use a free app, text/phone, and website (Safe2HelpIllinois.com) to "Seek Help Before Harm."
Trained youth mental health professionals are available in real time 24/7 to address youth in crisis. Always available. Always confidential. In English and Spanish.
They support students dealing with bullying, depression, eating disorders, drug abuse, LGBTQIA, suicidal ideation and more.

Call: 844-4-SAFEIL
Text: SAFE2 (72332)
Email: HELP@Safe2HelpIL.com  
Website resources: Safe2HelpIllinois.com

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School social workers are at school to assist with advice, support and resources for you and your family to help solve problems that may negatively impact your learning. They also have confidentiality rules and cannot disclose what you share with them unless you talk about hurting yourself, hurting someone else, or child abuse and neglect. Even then, they only share on a need-to-notice basis in order to get you the help you need! 

These staff are available to help:
Vivian Adams Early Childhood

Mental Health Days

Illinois Public Act 102-0321 (Senate Bill 1577) went into effect January 2022.  This act allows students to take up to five mental or behavioral health days per year.  In these cases, a student is not required to provide a medical note.  They will be expected to make up any schoolwork missed during such absences.  Following the second claimed mental health day, a student may be referred to a school social worker.  Read the Illinois State Board of Education's Frequently Asked Questions for more information.