Educational Support Services and Parent Relations (ESS&PR)

The ESS & PR Department provides a broad range of support services for students in grades K–12 to assist them in maximizing their educational experiences and academic potential. The department also assists parents/guardians in supporting the needs of students by providing information and services to support the educational process.

School counselors and social workers are responsible for providing comprehensive school and counseling services in the district. School Counselors and Social Workers conduct group sessions and individual counseling in areas including but not limited to: lessons in social and emotional learning development, conflict resolution, career orientation, post-secondary assistance, academic support, and other support services. Social workers provide a link between home, school, and community service in the form of management, scheduling, and testing to help students come to terms with the many career choices available to them.

The Safe and Drug-free Schools Program provides a comprehensive spectrum of programs and services that promote resiliency in students and foster safe, disciplined, and drug-free school climates that are conducive to student success. The program assist the district, individual schools, and community partners to plan, develop, and implement programs and strategies that are directed toward:

 

• Preventing the illegal use, possession, and distribution of tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs by students
• Responding to the needs of students affected by substance abuse 
• Promoting the involvement of parents/guardians and the community in prevention efforts
• Promoting positive student and social and emotional development

Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Act, families in temporary living situations whose children are attending East Orange schools must complete the enrollment registration process for the school year through the ESS & PR department. Students challenged by displaced living situations will be placed as well as receive transportation services as outlined by the Education Stability Law.

The goals of the district’s parent relations program include:

 

• Assist families with parenting and child-rearing skills and to enhance parental understanding of child and adolescent developmental processes, setting home conditions that support children’s academic and social-emotional needs for each age and grade level
• Communicate with families about school programs and student progress through effective school-to-home and home-to school communications
• Improve recruitment, training, work, and schedules to involve families as volunteers and audiences at the school or in other locations to support students and school programs
• Involve families with their children in learning activities at home, including homework and other curriculum-linked activities and decisions
• Include families as participants in school decisions, governance, and advocacy through PTA/PTO, school councils, committees, and other parent organizations
• Coordinate resources and services for families, students, and the school with businesses, agencies, and other groups

 

Dr. Kelly T. Williams Director Send Email	Corey Smallwood Supervisor Send Email	Khabirah Edouard Head Secretary Send Email
Chrystalene Ogle Assistant Secretary Send Email	Leigh Garwin, C.T Educational Support Specialist Send Email	Elizabeth Fallon Counselor Trainer Send Email
Demetrisha Barnes ESS&Parent Relations Specialist McKinney-Vento/DCP&P Liaison Educational Stability Liaison KSA Dual Enrollment Liaison Send Email