Supporting Students With Learning Differences, Developmental Differences, or Mental Illness
“To provide educational care is to demonstrate authentic respect for a child’s unique mind while caring about it and caring for it.” (Dr. Mel Levine)
For students to gain a positive Jewish identity and feel a strong connection to the Torah, traditions, and language of the Jewish people, they each need to feel that they are an integral part of the religious school community, successful in the classroom, and in other pursuits within the Jewish community (youth groups, junior choir, special events etc…). By acknowledging learning differences, communicating regularly with parents, helping students to celebrate and develop their strengths, teaching through different modes of learning, and offering a monthly support group for parents, we strive to provide all of our students with a successful Religious School experience.
Parents As Partners
We need parents collaboration to provide the best experience to our students. Parents are the experts on their children and can provide us with essential information. We bring parents in as partners in a variety of ways: Our learning specialist, Sierra Schwidder, reads the Student Health and Individual Needs Form for each student and makes an initial phone call to any family who has shared information about special needs. This information is shared at a meeting between the learning specialist and the classroom teacher. Contact between Sierra, parents, and teachers continues throughout the year, and observations and meetings to discuss accommodations will take place as needed. Parents are encouraged to call and discuss issues that may arise, and any changes in the status of their child’s individual needs. At the end of the year, Sierra will check in with the teachers and each family to find out how the year went for all our students with special needs.
Special Needs Support in the Classroom
In addition to our Learning Specialist, Sierra, we also have a Special Needs Aide on our Religious School Faculty. Sierra works with the aide to determine which students need one-on-one help in the classroom, and our aide spends his/her time with those students who need the most support & guidance. If you have questions, concerns, or feedback about our aide, please contact Rabbi Greninger.
Parent Support Group
In previous years we have had a support group for parents and caregivers of children with Special Needs. {“special needs” includes learning differences, developmental differences, serious chronic illness, and mental health conditions} These meetings took place Sunday mornings once a month during Religious School. We may or may not continue this group, depending on interest. If you would like to participate in and/or help facilitate our support group, please contact Rabbi Greninger in the Education Office.