For the 2021-22 school year, the FFCS has shared feature articles on support staff and faculty that continue to make an impact within the district. Today, we carry on that process. Meet Mrs. Capron. She’s the district’s social worker who plays an important role in our students’ everyday lives on our school campus. She has been employed with the district since 2004.
As part of her duties, she’s responsible for day-to-day interactions with students to ensure their social-emotional well-being and assists the district with various fundraising and community-based events. Her impact is undeniable and today we feature her Q&A to understand the work being done behind the scenes to ensure the safety and understanding of today’s students and their families.
“Social workers play an essential role in the development of our students within our school community,” said Superintendent of Schools Mr. Ciaccio. “By creating trust, they are able to assist with understanding a student’s pathway, while providing them with access to social-emotional tools to better address their needs. Our entire school community is fortunate to have our school social worker, Melanie Capron, on our team supporting our students.”
Here’s this week’s Q&A with FFCS Social Worker Ms. Capron.
How did you become involved in this role?
I have always loved working with children so, working in a school where I could help kids everyday has been a great fit for me. I had previously worked in a children’s mental health clinic and a hospital, but loved the idea of working with kids every day in an environment where I could help them develop positive social emotional skills and support them in the classroom to help them find academic success.
What is your definition of success as a school social worker?
My definition of success as a school social worker is seeing students learn to manage their emotions and develop and use strategies that help them to be successful in school, home and in their community.
Favorite memory at Fonda-Fultonville?
It is hard to choose only one favorite memory of Fonda. My favorite part of being here at Fonda is my relationships with students and families. The longer I work here the more important those relationships have become and I value that students and families feel they can trust me and will come to me for help.
How do you see your role evolving as it impacts the needs of today’s students?
My role has not changed much over the years. I have always provided counseling, crisis intervention and community support to students and families. I think what has changed is that the needs of students and families have increased significantly in the last few years. Students have greater social emotional needs and families need more support to manage those needs and to be connected with support in our community.