Learning and Counseling Services
School Speech/Language and Reading Specialist
The School Speech/Language and Reading Specialist works with parents, teachers and students to identify and address language-based student needs. Specific speech difficulties may include articulation, fluency, and voice, while broader language concerns include comprehension and oral and written expression, language processing, phonological awareness and the complex process of learning to read. The responsibilities of the School Speech/Language and Reading Specialist include:
- Performing speech/language and reading screenings for all new students in grades 1-8, as well as for any student referred by a classroom teachers suspecting a language based difficulty
- Providing informal speech and language assessments and pre-reading assessments to students in Transition and Kindergarten during the Winter term
- Providing small group instructional support, as well as one-on-one intervention, for recommended Early Childhood students
- Consulting with all faculty regarding specific student needs and suggesting classroom strategies to enhance student performance as well as one on one intervention therapy when necessary
- Ensuring the provision of speech, language, and/or reading support
- Providing specific reading resource support to Grade 1
Melanie Ferguson, Grades 2,3 & 4 Language Arts Resource
Provides small group instruction in language arts to students in grades 2, 3, and 4 following the regular class curriculum while having the flexibility to employ suitable remedial programs. This allows daily support for those students facing challenges in a subject area, or who would benefit from a smaller learning environment. This also helps classroom teachers as their classes are smaller as a result.
- Grades 2 and 3: We follow the Open Court Reading Program including reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary and written responses; Wordly Wise a vocabulary enrichment program; weekly spelling
- Grade 4: Read 6-8 fictional books a year and introduce the students to a more anaytical approach to reading such as studying character development, themes, and imagery.
Jeanie Kahn, School Learning Specialist
To ensure that all students benefit fully from the school's enriched curriculum, the School Learning Specialist works with students, teachers, staff and families to provide support for students with learning differences. The responsibilities of the School Learning Specialist include:
- Coordinating and monitoring academic accommodation plans for students whose families have submitted testing reports
- Observing and assessing students upon request of parents, teachers or other WES professional staff
- Coordinating discussion among parents, teachers and other professionals regarding observational findings and other evaluative means, including recommendations for further testing
- Maintaining a list of auxiliary service providers (i.e., academic tutors, speech and language specialists, etc.) and facilitating matches when appropriate
- Conducting classroom mini-units, grade level meetings in the fall with the school Counselor and Division Heads, and parent workshops
- Coordinating and assisting administration of standardized testing and evaluation
- Meeting regularly with Division Heads, School Counselor and teachers
Linda O'Sullivan, Math Specialist
The Math Specialist serves as a resource for classroom teachers and as a third math teacher for grades two through six. This allows smaller group instruction enabling teachers to differentiate math instruction more easily. The responsibilities of the Math Specialist include:
- Teaching
small classes of students in second through sixth grade. Classes can
be for enrichment, remediation, or to get to know each of the students
in the grade.
- Providing one twenty-minute enrichment class each week to each first grade homeroom.
- Providing teachers with outside resources and materials for enrichment or remediation.
- Holding
two one-hour Math Labs after school to provide additional help for
students; one for fourth graders and one for sixth graders.
- Working
closely with Division Directors and Middle School math teachers to
ensure continuity and fluency in the mathematics program.
- Meeting weekly with teachers of each grade and the division head to discuss progress, problems, and any other related concerns.
- Meeting with parents on an as-needed basis.
- Helping at math-sponsored events such as Metric Day, Pi Day and Math Field Day.
Kristie Postorino, School Counselor
The role of the School Counselor is to offer support to students, families, teachers and staff to help facilitate a successful academic year. The School Counselor works with a multidisciplinary team to provide students with support to social, emotional and behavioral issues to maximize their academic achievement and personal growth and development. The responsibilities of the School Counselor include:
- Consulting with teachers, administrators, staff and families to meet the social, emotional and academic needs of students
- Facilitating parent workshops, including grade level informational meetings in the fall, book club meetings and requested meetings on topics of interest
- Working with students individually, in small groups or as a classroom to discuss specifically identified concerns
- Coordinating and participating in parent conferences as needed
- Maintaining a list of auxiliary service providers and making referrals to outside professionals when appropriate
- Providing information on other community services
