Student Supports at MES

MES School Counselor: Mr. Saidi Oseni

Elementary school years are the years when students develop attitudes concerning school, self, peers, social groups, and family. It is a time when students develop decision-making skills, communication and life skills, and character values.

Comprehensive developmental counseling services offered at the elementary education level is proactive. The goal is teaching students a variety of skills integrated into all aspects of their lives. Early identification and intervention of children's problems are essential to change some of the current statistics regarding destructive behaviors. If we wait until children are in middle or high school to address these problems, we lose the opportunity to help them achieve their potential, as well as feelings of dignity and self-worth. For many children, the school counselor may be the one person who provides an atmosphere of safety, trust and positive regard as well as assisting them in taking ownership of their own words and actions.

Elementary school years set the tone for developing the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for our children to become healthy, productive, and respectful adults who have a strong sense of belonging and become a contributing member of their society. With a comprehensive developmental counseling program, the counselors at Morningside work as a team with school, parents, and community to create a caring atmosphere whereby children's needs are met through prevention, early identification and interventions necessary for all and every child depending on their individual needs.

Email: saidi.oseni@atlanta.k12.ga.us

MES Social Worker: Mr. Scott LaSalle

Mr. LaSalle is Morningside Elementary School’s new full time school social worker. He has been practicing as a licensed social worker for over 30 years and has worked in schools and colleges, mental health and family service agencies, and day treatment programs. He previously worked in the district as a clinical therapist as part of the Turnaround initiative at APS. He enjoys working with children and families and looks forward to the opportunity to meet you and support you in any way that he can.

What is a school social worker?

School social workers remove barriers that hinder student performance and support students’ thriving in schools. They are trained to provide services to students who face serious challenges to school success. Services provided include mental health wraparound support for children and families, resource and community referrals, teacher/staff training and consultation, crisis intervention and brief individual/group counseling, homeless education and support, and community involvement.

MES School Nurse: Mrs. Casondra Petty

The Health Services Program provides coordinated school-based nursing services to ensure the delivery of quality individualized health services for students to facilitate daily school attendance and enhance academic achievement. School-based nursing service allocations are data-driven based on the number of students with documented health conditions, required therapeutic physician ordered treatments for individual students during school hours, and school enrollment. APS Health Services Page

Allergies or Serious Medical Condition: If your child has a life-threatening allergy or any other serious medical condition, please notify the classroom teachers and school nurse in writing as soon as possible.

Clinic Cards: For the safety of your child, the school will maintain emergency information including parents’ names, addresses, phone numbers and the name and phone number of a relative or neighbor to be contacted in case a parent cannot be reached. Any change in information must be reported to the office.

Illness Policy: For the well being of all the children, a sick child should be kept at home. Do NOT bring your child to school if your child has any signs of illness such as fever, sore throat, contagious skin rash, cough, headache, vomiting or diarrhea. Students must be free of fever, vomiting and diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school. Students should remain at home until they can maintain a normal temperature (below 100 Fahrenheit or 37.8 Celsius) for a full 24 hours or more without taking fever – reducing medication. 

Injuries or Illness at School: Nurse Petty is our school nurse. She will attend to your child's minor physical needs at school. If an injury requires special attention or if your child is ill, she will call you at the number indicated on his or her clinic card.

Medication: Atlanta School Board policy prohibits the administration of medication to students by employees without authorization.  If your child must take any medication at school (even over-the-counter medications like Ibuprofen) you and your child’s doctor must complete and sign Medication Form 67071.

Student Accident Insurance: This limited Student Accident Insurance plan may help pay for medical bills associated with an accident on an “excess” basis and may only pay for medical services that are NOT paid for by your current insurance according to the schedule of benefits.

If you are interested in enrolling please complete the following:

1. Review the *Student Accident Insurance Coverage Enrollment Form that can be accessed online at www.k12studentinsurance.com
2. Complete the online application. The online option permits payment by credit/debit card.
3. Remember to respond within 30 days of the start of school and your child is covered effective the first day of school!

Email: casondra.petty@atlanta.k12.ga.us

Georgia Multi-Tiered System of Supports (GaMTSS) is a data-driven, multi-level prevention system designed to meet the needs of the whole child by implementing a continuum of tiered supports. GaMTSS is grounded in the belief that academics, behavior, and well-being are interconnected and impact student success. By integrating academics, behavior, and well-being data, systems, and practices, teams can align efforts to address barriers to learning and improve outcomes.

Additional MTSS Information

Atlanta Public Schools (APS) is committed to empowering exceptional learners to thrive academically and creatively. Through our Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program, we provide enriched learning experiences for students in grades K–12 who demonstrate exceptional intellectual ability or creative talent.

Additional Gifted and Talented Information

Atlanta Public School's Department of Special Education supports the Individual Educational Programs of students ages three through twenty-one who are eligible for special education and related services within the district.  The special education services are provided on a continuum from the least restrictive environments and are contingent upon the educational needs of the students.  The department provides a full array of assessments and special education interventions for students requiring such services.  The Department works collaboratively with students, families, and the community to increase student achievement and to promote post-secondary success for all students with disabilities. 

Children start school at a designated chronological age, but differ greatly in their individual development and experience base. The Early Intervention Program (EIP) is designed to serve students who are at risk of not reaching or maintaining academic grade level. The purpose of the Early Intervention Program is to provide additional instructional resources to help students who are performing below grade level obtain the necessary academic skills to reach grade level performance in the shortest possible time.

The EIP Program is a part of the Response to Intervention (RTI) framework for providing support to students. The EIP Program provides a structure for additional instruction to ensure students meet grade level expectations at the elementary level.

For more information, please reach out to our school assistant principal.

The English to Speakers of Other Languages Program (ESOL) of Atlanta Public Schools provides English Learners with support and instruction in the English language, American culture, and academic and cognitive areas in order to ensure success in the classroom, school, and the community. 

ESOL Information

Atlanta Public Schools is committed to the social, emotional, and academic development of students by connecting "hearts and smarts" as part of a systemic whole child framework.  APS also recognizes that building the capacity of adults to model SEL skills is at the core of teacher and leader excellence. APS uses the CASEL framework to inform its SEL programming in alignment with the district's strategic plan.  

Social and Emotional Learning Information