Three weeks into the school year, Unity Point's newest team members are already making their mark on student lives. Donna Burroughs and Mariza Charicata, both 2023 graduates from SIU's social work program, stepped into roles as the school's social workers this fall, bringing fresh energy and expertise to support students from kindergarten through eighth grade.

The two colleagues divide responsibilities by age groups, with Donna focusing on kindergarten through third grade and Mariza working with fifth through eighth grade, while both share fourth-grade students. Their offices, connected by a welcoming common area complete with a bubble wall light that changes colors, reflect their different approaches – Donna's space is designed for younger children with stuffed animals and toys, while Mariza's caters to middle school sensibilities.

Both women chose Unity Point for similar reasons: proximity to home and the district's reputation for excellence.

Their work encompasses far more than traditional counseling. Both social workers implement social-emotional learning curricula – Donna uses Kelso's Choices with younger students, while Mariza employs Second Step with older grades. These lessons, delivered during classroom visits, ensure every student knows who their social workers are and what support is available.

The pair also manages practical support programs that address students' basic needs. Every Friday, they coordinate the Gumdrops program, collecting and distributing food bags from Carterville to approximately 120 Unity Point students who might otherwise go hungry over the weekend. Student council members, part of the Trojan's Tribe, help distribute the bags from the library, creating a peer-support system that maintains dignity while meeting essential needs.

Their responsibilities extend to McKinney-Vento services, ensuring homeless and highly mobile students receive necessary support. They maintain supplies of school materials, hygiene items, and clothing, recently adding feminine hygiene products and laundry detergent to their inventory. Working with the Regional Office of Education, they coordinate resources to meet immediate student needs while navigating recent funding cuts to these critical programs.

Come November, their workload intensifies with the Angel Tree program, serving over 100 Unity Point families during the holiday season. This comprehensive approach to student welfare reflects the district's philosophy of supporting the whole child, not just academic achievement.

The IEP process represents another significant aspect of their work. Both social workers participate in meetings when behavioral or social-emotional goals are involved, conducting Initial Needs Assessments for younger students and developing intervention plans for those requiring intensive support. They create Behavior Intervention Plans for students with aggressive behaviors, working collaboratively with teachers, administrators, and parents to develop comprehensive strategies.

"If they have somebody they can go to at school, they're more likely to come to school and care about their education," Donna observes. "Kids have hard lives at home sometimes, and classes are hard for kids. To have somebody to fall back on helps them continue to go to class and participate."

Their confidential counseling services address everything from friendship difficulties to family problems, providing students with a safe space to process challenges. As mandated reporters, they maintain strict confidentiality while ensuring student safety when necessary.

Despite being new to Unity Point, both women have quickly integrated into the school's collaborative culture. They work closely with Kirsten, the Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and coordinate with teachers who can refer students for additional support. The district's commitment to keeping students in-house rather than referring them elsewhere aligns with their professional values.

Maria Deaton, the fifth-grade teacher who leads the mentor program, has provided crucial guidance to both social workers as they navigate district procedures and building culture. Teachers have welcomed their classroom visits and student consultations, recognizing the value of their expertise in supporting student success.

Both women appreciate Unity Point's diversity and welcoming atmosphere. "I feel like the students are very open to speaking with us," Donna notes. "They look forward to seeing us. They can take a break from class and take a break from their home and just come and be themselves."

Mariza echoes this sentiment, describing the school culture as "very diverse" and emphasizing how students view their offices as safe spaces where they can be authentic without judgment.

The timing of their arrival, coinciding with new administration, has created opportunities to establish fresh approaches while building on Unity Point's strong foundation of student support.

Their comprehensive approach extends beyond crisis intervention to prevention and skill-building. Through regular social-emotional learning lessons, individual counseling, group work, and practical support services, they plan to address the full spectrum of factors that influence student success.