student services + tips for school and home john larson, m.ed. director of student support services...

Student Services+ Tips for school and home

John Larson, M.Ed.Director of Student Support Services

Nova Classical Academy

Student Services

• Collaborative Planning and Implementation of Educational Programming

• Holding students to high standards but providing the supports to help them be successful

• Data-Driven Education/Evaluations• We want all students to be here!

STUDENT SERVICES AT NOVA

• To create services and supports to help all students at Nova Classical Academy

1. Special Education2. 5043. English Language4. RTI5. School Psychologist (Alyssa Martinson)6. Parent Meetings7. 1-1 student meetings

Services at Nova Classical Academy

1. Before School Homework Club (M-F, 7:30 a.m.)

2. After School Homework Club (Tues. and Thurs. from 3:50-5:00 p.m.

3. Student Services meeting room (#323)

RTI (Response-To-Intervention)

• We have a full RTI model to help us “find or identify” students who may have disabilities or need other services.

• It is our obligation to identify those students. • When in doubt, fill it out!• Initially we would like to contact parents of an initial

referral to the RTI Team to get their input.• Tier 1 starts in the classroom. Creating opportunities

to help struggling students be more successful.

Accommodation vs. Modification

What is the difference?

Accommodations

Instructional or assessment adaptations. They allow a student to demonstrate what they know without fundamentally changing the target skills.

• Let me give you an example. A student with a learning disability in reading may have difficulty reading the content and/or the questions on a history test. Therefore, he may not be able to demonstrate what he knows through reading, so a teacher or a test administrator may read the test aloud to him.

Modifications

Modifications actually do change that target skill or the construct of interest. They often reduce learning expectations or affect the content in such a way that what is being taught or tested is fundamentally changed.

Contacts (IEP/504)

1. Classroom Teacher: Content Experts2. IEP Manager3. Principal: School Experts4. Director of Student Services

TIPS FOR HOME!

• Please feel free to share ideas and/or questions!

• Some suggestions that people have found helpful.

Make Your Student Aware of their needs

• Depends on age.• Accommodations/Modifications available• Who to talk to when they have trouble?• What services do I have available to me?• Involve them in their IEP goals and progress

Set Up A Homework Schedule

• This is a personal choice.• Once time is determined, the schedule should

be adhered as close as possible.• Research says it takes 21 days to form a habit.• Majority will lose focus of schedule a before

Halloween.

Rank Order Assignments

• Many students spend a good chunk of their homework time deciding what to do..

• Parents help prioritize and gradually pass on to the students (depending on age).

Do Not(Always) Sit Next To Your Child

• This creates “learned helplessness.”• This same assistance may not be consistent to

what is available to them in the classroom.• Act as a resource person for the student.• Students should always return to their

individual work area.

Check the Correct Problems First

• Mention something they did well first to help build confidence.

• Provide constructive support on problems that are incorrect.

NEVER LET HOMEWORK DRAG ON!

• The only thing accomplished by allowing a child to continue to struggle hour after hour is an increased feeling of inadequacy.

• Contact the teacher, special education teacher. (Have student initiate contact depending on age).

Discuss Questions Before Beginning

• Discuss ahead of time so the students know what they are looking for when reading.

• Verbal processing can help with comprehension and building of knowledge

Check Small Groups of Problems

• Have your student complete 3-5 problems and then they can check with you.

• This prevents a child from doing an entire assignment incorrectly.

Be Aware of Negative Messages

• Many examples of body language, tension, raised eyebrows, inattentiveness, verbal frustrations can lead to increased struggles for your student.

AVOID Finishing Assignments for Your Child

• This is not doing the student any favors.• Sometimes it may feel like a better solution for

you and your child. (Band Aid)• Communicate with the teachers about any

specific issues.• See Slide #6

Be Aware of Possible Learning Problems

• Look for patterns• Contact Teacher, RTI Team, Principal or

Director of Student Services

Examples: Constant avoidance, forgetting to bring home assignments, taking long hours to complete, procrastination, low frustration tolerance, labored writing, poor spelling, etc.

Triple P Communication Method

• Approach situations with staff positively and proactively, and patiently.

• We will approach you positively and proactively, and patiently.

• We want to see your students be successful!!!• Build a positive, collaborative relationship that

focuses on doing what is best for the students.

QUESTION/ANSWER SESSION15 Minutes

• Rules: Please don’t identify any students directly during questioning.

• Any individual concerns: Separate Meeting• Please understand that I may need some time

to research your question.

Contact Information

John Larson, M.Ed.Nova Classical AcademyDirector of Student Services651.209.6320, Ext. 306jlarson@novaclassical.org