Learning Services and Wellness
We believe that every every child represents a unique constellation of qualities including learning profile efficiencies, temperamental characteristics and affinities.
Our goal is to establish an environment that reinforces help-seeking as being a positive behavior, fostering student self-awareness and self-advocacy. We embrace diversity of all types in our school community, confident that it creates a richly-textured, growth-promoting learning and social environment.
We recognize that the continuity of care we are able to provide over the years, coupled with our small school size enables the framework for our work to happen in a meaningful way.
The Learning Services department is comprised of two school psychologists, three learning specialists, a speech and language pathologist and a school Nurse.
- School psychologists provide individual assessment, individual counseling, parent guidance, crisis intervention and referral services. They also provide educational presentations to faculty, parents and students about a variety of learning and mental health-oriented topics and assist in creating and refining curriculum, school procedures and school policies.
- Learning specialists provide supplemental Instructional Support - small-group tutorial instruction designed to address specific academic skill difficulties in literacy and/or math areas and/or to provide coaching in the area of Executive Functions (e.g. planning, organization, and attention issues).
- The speech and language pathologist screens students for articulation and language function and conducts hearing screenings. (Speech and Language therapy is available on a private fee basis).
- The school clinic nurse provides support for emergent medical situations, administers basic first aid, distributes medicine at School and maintains student health records.
Our Services
Assessment
One-on-one testing by a licensed school psychologist that is designed to help the student gain an understanding of his/her learning profile and how to engage in behaviors that support and maximize learning.
Conflict Resolution
Aid students in participating in problem-solving that both resolves immediate interpersonal concerns and provides a template for peaceful, effective management of social conflict.
Counseling
Support for students experiencing challenges in areas that impact their school experience.
Crisis Intervention
During times of unexpected events of a traumatic nature, we provide direct support, assist in the development of a response plan and can refer families to other, outside resources.
Health Services
Includes medical support for emergent situations, assistance with minor physical complaints, basic first aid and maintenance of physical health records for students. Distributes medication and speaks with students about health-related topics (i.e., the importance of handwashing.)
Instructional Support
Small group instruction with a qualified teacher designed to remediate specific academic skill deficits in the areas of literacy and math. Small-group, skill-based coaching for students who require extra support to develop executive functions.
Liaison and Referral
Direct parents and students to community-based resources to facilitate their access to appropriate practitioners and agencies.
Parent Education and Guidance
Develop and present a variety of sessions on topics related to child development and school adjustment (i.e. homework, memory functions, literacy skills, time management, social skills, discipline, etc.) Provide support for parents seeking information on common parenting challenges.
Speech and Language Assessment & Therapy
Screening by a licensed speech and language pathologist to determine speech and language skill development. Individual intervention to improve articulation, receptive and/or expressive language skills. (On a private fee basis, but provided on-site).
Student Education
Develop and lead presentations to students on a variety of topics on an as-needed basis and also as part of the health education curriculum. For example, in the younger grades, the school psychologist may lead group sessions on friendship and conflict resolution strategies. In the older grades, the topics may include day-long retreats on motivation, on appreciating and respecting diversity, or on self-image and self-marketing.
Teacher Consultation
Support teachers in the provision of differentiated instruction and in the management of socio-behavioral issues with their students. Attend grade-level team meetings to assist with creative, collaborative problem-solving about ways to support students.
