List of 2 items.

• Did You Know - December 2018

   Did You Know? (December 2018)

  Information from Student Support Services

   

  Did you know that WDS’ Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program in grades 1 through 5 is in its 3rd year of implementation? The curriculum focuses on social and emotional competencies, such as interacting with others in productive and respectful ways, and developing personal strengths, such as tenacity and perseverance (“grit”), self-regulation, and a growth mindset. Research has shown that acquiring SEL skills also improves academic achievement.

   

  In collaboration with classroom teachers, our Social Worker, Mrs. Suzie Marder, is leading this program, and in some grades, she is joined by Morah Amy Kirschenbaum, our girls’ PE teacher, who many may not know, is also a Social Worker! Each class has had several sessions so far and will continue throughout the year. Click here to learn more about the SEL curriculum.  

   

  Please join Mrs. Marder for coffee and conversation on Thursday, January 10, 2019 at 9 am or 3 pm to learn more about our SEL Program and how you can incorporate the concepts and strategies into your parenting at home. Click here for more information and to rsvp.

   

  Did you know that we offer a range of programs to support the development of executive functioning skills for WDS students? GoodStart, run by Morah Debbie Epstein, provides organizational, study skill, and learning support for 4th and 5th graders beginning at 8 am three days a week. Morah Janet Zohar joins the program two mornings a week to provide additional support in Hebrew language. NextStep provides executive functioning support two mornings a week for select students in 6th, 7th grade, and 8th grades. Contact Mrs. Lauren Kaplan for more information about these programs.

   

  We continue to offer an after school Homework Helper program, with separate groups for 3rd through 5th graders and 6th through 8th graders. It is available Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 4-5 pm. The goal of this program is to help students learn executive functioning skills, such as initiating work, planning, following through, and test preparation, using actual homework and assigned tests and projects. We hope that participants go home at 5 pm with most or all of their homework completed and benefit from enjoying relaxing time with family in the evenings.

   

  Did you know that we are rolling out our annual Health and Wellness Program for students in grades 5-8? This year, we are offering additional sessions to each grade to incorporate information about mental health, as required by the New York State Education Department. Please click here to learn more about our Health and Wellness Program.

   

  5th graders enjoyed their first session last week with a focus on increased independent functioning as they mature as well as a spirited discussion on healthy sleep habits. Click here to learn more about the benefits of sleep- for all of us!

   

  Did you know that if you are consulting with professionals outside of WDS about your child for learning, behavioral, and/or psychological reasons, it is most effective if you arrange for us to communicate with them? You can do this by signing a consent form available here.

   

  If the consulting professional requires that forms be completed, they should be given to Dr. Adler, who will process them with the teachers and return them. Please allow up to two weeks for that process, although it often can be done sooner. Teachers are not able to accept these forms directly.  

   

  As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns at 698-8900 x122 for Dr. Naomi Adler, x121 for Mrs. Suzie Marder, and x140 for Ms. Lauren Kaplan.  

   

  Dr. Naomi Adler                               Mrs. Suzie Marder    Mrs. Lauren Kaplan

  Director, Student Support Services    Social Worker          Learning Center Coordinator

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• Did You Know? November 2017 (10th Edition)

  Did you know that after its successful initiation last year, the WDS Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program in grades 1-5 has recently begun again? Led by Suzie Marder, WDS Social Worker and assisted in some classes by Amy Kirschenbaum, Girls PE Teacher (who is also a Social Worker), this program includes weekly sessions following a research-based curriculum that focuses on developing self-awareness and regulation strategies that support social emotional growth, applicable to the classroom, school and beyond. In order to continue to integrate the SEL sessions into the fabric of each classroom, teachers are integral collaborators and reinforce concepts and strategies taught throughout the week.  Stay tuned for the parent educational session which will be scheduled in the winter to introduce the SEL program to parents and offer them related tools to use at home. 

   

  Did you know that as part of our ongoing efforts to focus on responsible digital citizenship, Dr. Adler, Mrs. Marder and Mrs. Ament met with each Middle School class to review in depth the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) that students and parents sign at the start of school that delineates the WDS guidelines for technology use? The lively discussion reinforced our awareness of the importance of this topic. Specific emphasis was focused on identification and prevention of cyberbullying and sending/receiving inappropriate photos and/or videos.

   

  Did you know that the WDS Code of Conduct includes guidelines about the use of fidget tools in school? Some students, but certainly not all, benefit from doing something with their hands in order to improve their focus, particularly during listening/discussion times. However, the current fidget toy fad is not helpful for effective learning. Fidget tools that are appropriate for school settings must meet certain criteria. They need to be noiseless, not distracting to others, and able to be manipulated without looking at them. We have several different kinds of school-approved fidget tools in Dr. Adler’s office. If a student might benefit from using one under certain circumstances, the student or parent must speak to the teacher, Dr. Adler, or the Assistant Principal. Students are not allowed to bring in and use during class their own fidget toys, including spinners.

   

  Did you know that we offer a range of programs to support the development of executive functioning skills for WDS students? GoodStart provides organizational, study skill, and learning support for some 4^th and 5^th graders beginning at 8 am five days a week.  NextStep provides executive functioning support two mornings a week for select students in 6^th and 7^th grade. After school homework club provides the opportunity for students in grades 3-8 to complete homework and work on long term projects and test preparation in a supervised setting with a focus on developing executive functioning skills. If you are interested in any of these programs for your children, please let us know.    

   

  Did you know that if you are consulting with professionals outside of WDS about your child for learning, behavioral, and/or psychological reasons, it is most effective if you arrange for us to communicate with them?  You can do this by signing a consent form available at http://www.westchesterday.org/Page/Academics/Student-Support/Records-Consent-Form.  If the consulting professional requires that forms be completed, they should be given to Dr. Adler, who will process them with the teachers and return them. Please allow up to two weeks for that process, although it often can be done sooner.  Teachers are not able to accept these forms directly.  

   

  Student Support Services

  Dr. Naomi Adler, Director of Student Support Services

  Mrs. Suzie Marder, WDS Social Worker

  Mrs. Lauren Kaplan, Learning Center Coordinator

   

  As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns at 698-8900, x122 for Dr. Adler, x121 for Mrs. Marder, or x412 for Mrs. Kaplan.