"As school social workers, we meet with all of the students at Hutch School to help them succeed in school and cope with their family members’ (or their own) illnesses. This is accomplished through individual and group counseling, collaboration with parents, teachers, the medical team, and community professionals to ensure that students receive proper educational and emotional support.

A diagnosis of cancer affects every member of the family. Children benefit emotionally from accompanying their family to Seattle where they can be part of the family’s cancer journey. Many different emotions may be experienced by children during this time including worry, sadness, guilt, jealousy, isolation, anger, loneliness, homesickness and fear about getting cancer.

As school counselors, we are a supportive resource for children as they attempt to cope with all these emotions. When a child enters Hutch School, they will have an initial meeting with us. This meeting gives us a chance to get to know the child and understand his or her environment at home and here in Seattle. We also spend time with students in the classrooms, at lunch, on field trips, and in on-going counseling. We are also available to meet with parents.

Hutch School offers children a place to learn, make friends, and gain support from their peers, teachers, and counselor. We hope you will take advantage of this unique, supportive and highly educational resource."

Laurie Goble-Van Diest & Ginger Moriarty
Hutch School Social Workers