"Community of Caring" 2008-2009

Mrs. Sue Livera

Click here for my Fourth Quarter Newsletter!!!

Welcome to this new site!  I will update this regularly with the intention of providing resources for your interest and help.  If there is something you need that is not found here, please contact me either by phone (301-805-8720) or by my email:  susan.livera@pgcps.org

First, however, I want to thank you all for your warm and sincere welcome as I begin my time as your school’s counselor.  I have been in Prince George’s County for 12 years now, moving here from several schools in the Capitol Heights community – with years before in my home state of New Jersey as a school counselor in an independent school as well as a parent of two with much involvement in their schools’ PTAs.  It is now a pleasure to be in such a supporting, caring and success-oriented community!  As a resident of Bowie I especially appreciate the opportunity to give back now to my own community in the way of any help I might be able to provide.

How can I help you and/or your child(ren)?  While I am in the classrooms doing relevant teaching – all to help children learn how to problem solve, I am also available to work with groups and individuals to help them find a way to figure out resolution for their needs.  It is not my job to “solve problems”; rather, teach children how they can solve their problems.  Not unlike parenting, if we tell our kids what to do, they will not know how to think, consider, ponder, worry and/or celebrate learning how to find their own way.  A good psychologist friend once described a definition of self-esteem:  healthy esteem comes from doing something yourself.  Think about this!  Then consider how you parent.

The Individual Learning Plan (ILP):  If you read the letter recently sent home with your child from Dr. Deasy, you are aware of this requirement of mine; to meet with each parent regarding planning for the future of each child.  This is to be accomplished by 1:1 meetings involving you, your child and myself.  This is a difficult challenge with 510 students.  My focus is on the Fifth Grade with others to follow.  I - or others (Parent Liaison, Sandi Beckham, or our Pupil Personnel Worker, Sharon Thomas) will contact you to set up an appointment.  I will schedule meetings after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays with flexible times in to the evenings to accommodate our schedules.

Some resources to note:

*COUNSELING:  PGCPS provides FREE Walk-In counseling each evening of the week and on Saturday mornings at different locations in the County.  Specific information can be obtained via the PGCPS website or from me.  Copies of the information are also available on the credenza in the front lobby of school.

This counseling is for short-term issues.  If you need more intensive and extensive help, I suggest that you talk with your family doctor or your child’s pediatrician.  It is important to know the limits in your health insurance.  If you don’t have that insurance, contact me and I can give you the application for Maryland Health Insurance….

*FOOD and related basic supplies:  Contact or visit the following –

1.       Bowie Food Pantry – we have supported them and will continue to.  They tell us that there has never been such a need; that our own community has an increasing number of families in great need.  You can take goods directly to the pantry or bring them to school and we’ll get them to them.  Think good nutrition!  Whole grain pasta with vegetable sauces, hot cereals, soup, 100% fruit juices are just some examples.  Think personal needs as well:  toiletries, soap, clothes washing detergents, etc.

*From the National PTA:  these are websites available at the National PTA’s website

• Watching Television With Your Children
• Watching Movies With Your Children
• Video Game Safety
• Internet Safety
• Listening to Music
• Cell Phone Safety
• Toy recalls.  Iffy economy brings bad tidings for toy sales

And, a very special one to consider:  www.teacherthankyoucard.org.   The intent is to create an enormous card to thank a teacher or teachers who have made a difference in your child’s life…or yours for that matter.  Check it out!