Groups/Classes/Workshops

Social skills groups are facilitated both class-wide as well as with targeted groups of students. These include teaching specific social skills, problem solving, conflict resolution, communication skills, anger management, bully prevention, and assertiveness training, to name a few.  A feelings curriculum is taught in each of the preschool classes, which the teachers integrate into their weekly lessons in order to enhance the student’s internalization of the lesson. Organizational skills are taught in the sixth grade, as students begin a departmentalized curriculum.  Additional small group organizational support is given, when necessary. Workshops on internet safety, digital citizenship, and puberty (Junior High School) are coordinated, as well as the highly regarded Safety Kids program of Magen NY for grades N-4.

Student Monitoring/Teacher Consultation

Ongoing monitoring meetings are held on a class-by-class basis throughout the school year. At these meetings the Jewish and General Studies teachers, therapists, and Learning Specialists, as well as the appropriate Assistant Principal(s), Rabbi Menchel. and the school psychologist meet to discuss each child. This allows for communication among all professionals involved with a student, ensures an updated plan for each child’s success, as well as guarantees that no student ever “falls through the cracks.”  Learning strategies and behavioral plans are discussed at these meetings as well as at follow up meetings with teachers, which occur frequently throughout the school year.

Parent Guidance

Whether school or parent initiated, we are always open to providing parents with guidance and support. Meetings with a school psychologist may involve direction and support with parenting issues in the home, help understanding a student’s learning profile, developing a behavioral plan at home or in school, discussing a social concern, or guiding parents to outside support for their child.

Liaison With Outside Professionals

With parental consent, we liaison with outside professionals such as therapists, neurologists, psychiatrists, reading specialists, and tutors in order to ensure that there is consistency and continuity among all those working with a student.

Crisis Intervention

Whereas children receive ongoing counseling either from a DOE counselor or privately, crisis intervention is provided in-house, when needed.

Professional Development

Through the psychology department, a number of  training and professional development opportunities are offered to faculty throughout the year.  Some recent topics included ADHD, identifying abuse, classroom management, behavioral interventions, organizational strategies, and internet safety and digital citizenship.