Kids at Rob Road Can Count on Vanessa

When a kid’s mind is weighed down by worry, chances are their schoolwork is suffering, too. At Robertson Road Elementary School, many children come to school with plenty of troubles on their shoulders. They are angry with friends; they are anxious because of stress at home; they think they just don’t fit in at all.

At Robertson Road, when it’s hard to be a kid, at least a kid can count on Vanessa Del Pilar.

Vanessa serves Rob Road as the Student Assistance Program (SAP) provider — also known as the Student Assistance Specialist — through Center for Human Services. Vanessa spends 6–8 weekly session with individual students, supporting them through anxiety, anger management, family, and academic issues. She listens to her students’ concerns and helps them develop coping strategies and life skills.

“The SAP program helps because so many kiddos come in with so much baggage,” says Kathryn Pound, principal at Robertson Road. “It helps that students have someone to talk to, to help them work on strategies, to let them know they are being heard.”

Students love their time with Vanessa. They see her as somebody who understands them. They know she cares about what they have to say and about their feelings.

For instance, if a child experiences frequent anxiety, Vanessa works with him or her to pinpoint the anxiety’s roots. Together, Vanessa and the student come up with ways to calm down, like going outside and doing deep breathing. If a student’s needs require extended services beyond the 6–8 weeks, Vanessa moves them into group sessions, or she can refer students to outside therapy services.

“Vanessa is wonderful!” says Lori Walker, a teacher at Robertson Road. “I really think she communicates well on the students’ levels, and she’s really good about confidently communicating with the teachers about their students. She sees so many students for so many different reasons. She even checks in with students she no longer sees.”

The work Vanessa does as a Student Assistance Specialist has had a tremendous impact on the students at Robertson Road Elementary School. From conflicts at home to relocations to struggles with class work, so many students live in a constant state of upheaval. For some children, school might seem like the only place of stability they know. However, when a kid holds onto so much distress, they may not trust anyone to listen to them. Vanessa Del Pilar and the Student Assistance Program aim to give those kids a voice, so they can have a better chance to succeed in school.

As principal Kathryn Pound puts it, “When they have that opportunity to let some of that out, kids can learn. Teachers can actually teach.”