Abraham Baldwin Middle School  
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Social Services

My name is Marcia Borenstein and I would like to introduce myself and tell you alittle about my job as the school social worker at Baldwin Middle School. I have been working at Baldwin since October, 1991 and each year I love it more and more. It is an exciting time in your children’s lives, but it can also be a difficult and scary time.

One part of my job is to help the children with the transition to middle school. I recognize that the transition to middle school can sometimes be difficult for children and their families. I spend a lot of time helping the children feel comfortable and safe at Baldwin.

I also know that it is sometimes difficult to be available for learning and concentrate when children are worried or preoccupied with concerns and issues. These concerns may have to do with school, getting use to Baldwin, changing classes, keeping organized; it may be concerns around social issues, making and keeping friends, understanding social cues’ or being concerned with family issues, divorce, losses, grief, substance abuse. I am available to meet with your children on an individual basis, in groups, or with their families. I am always available to meet with families.

Another part of my job is to help children negotiate the social scene. I have lots of lunch groups where children can come and have conversation during lunch. I talk about any and all issues that the children would like to discuss. It is important for the children to develop constructive and positive relationships with their friends. These are not therapy groups, and the conversations are safe and comfortable for all children.

It is important to recognize how unique middle schoolers are. They grow at different rates and can seem adult one minute and immature the next. Young people undergo more profound personal changes during the years between ten and fifteen than at any other period of their lives. This is the time when they become concerned with personal appearance and body image. Their search for identity begins. This is the time when peer acceptance and the need to belong begin. They can be self- conscience, sometimes lacking in self esteem and highly sensitive to personal criticism. Please do call or e-mail me if I can help make this transition easier for your children and you.

I am also involved in the character education program along with the guidance counselors. We work very hard to ensure that the children feel safe, comfortable and protected; we have monthly character education programs that all children participate in. We encourage the children to use the bully boxes. We continually help the children to understand that we can not help a bully situation if we do not know about it. We present them with numerous options of ways to receive help in a bullying situation, including cyber bullying. The support staff is always available to help process the situation and help resolve it. We continually inform the children that bullying will not be tolerated. Please keep us informed if there is something going on that we should know about.

I work very closely with all the support staff as well as attending the team meetings. At these team meetings, the teachers keep me informed of the children that they may be concerned about. We work together to help all children.

I love working at Baldwin Middle School. I love meeting with your children and talking with the parents. Let me know if I can be of assistance to your child or the family. I look forward to meeting you. I can be reached by calling 457-0222, ext. 231 or through e-mail, borensteinm@guilford.k12.ct.us . I will return your calls or e-mails as quickly as possible. Please do not hesitate to call me, or make an appointment to meet with me. I look forward to hearing from you.

Marcia Borenstein
School Social Worker
(203) 457-0222, ext. 231
borensteinm@guilford.k12.ct.us