The Student Support Services Team (SSST) provides support for students who are having academic difficulties and who have been identified through a referral process as needing additional support in order to successfully develop to their fullest potential. The SSST consists of:
- two full-time learning support teachers
- one whole school personal counsellor
- one careers and college counsellor
- an on-site occupational therapist (independently contracted)
- an on-site speech therapist (independently contracted)
The SSST also liaises with other outside specialists and therapists in order to provide the widest array of services possible for ISH families.
Philosophy, Aims & Objectives
Student learning support services are viewed within the context of a child’s emotional, social, and cognitive development. Our learning support approach is diagnostic and individualized. We begin with a thorough assessment to determine strengths and weaknesses and build a program from there. For children with learning difficulties, direct remedial instruction is offered using structured, systematic lessons that include multi-sensory techniques. Gifted students are supported through the development of breadth and depth of their classroom curriculum.
In the Junior School, the counsellor works with children from a child-centred perspective, which means that each child is unique and is viewed according to his or her developmental level. A strong belief in the child’s ability to actualize self is nurtured and appreciated. In the Secondary School, counselling is seen as a collaborative process in which counsellor and students work together to define and follow through with a personal improvement plan. This work stems from the notion that healthy adjustment occurs when a person’s strengths and positive personal qualities are recognized as the basis for growth. Active family involvement is sought, although in some cases it may not be required. Parental permission is, in most cases, obtained by counsellors when working with students during the school day. Counsellors provide school-wide classroom guidance lessons based on an age-appropriate, sequential curriculum. These lessons rest on the belief that education and prevention are key elements in the promotion of individual and school community well-being, and that all students should have access to the counselling program.
Learning Support Services
- Assessment of special educational needs
- Pull-out remedial instruction
- In-class remedial instruction and support
- Enrichment and extension support (gifted and talented)
- Consultation with teachers
- Consultation with parents
- Student monitoring
- Classroom observations
- Coordination with outside academic programs
- Outside referrals for medical screenings
- Outside referrals for speech therapy
- Outside referrals for occupational therapy
- Application for accommodations for students with special needs for the PSAT, SAT, and IB exams.
- Early Childhood Centre screenings for school readiness
- Admissions screenings of prospective students with suspected learning difficulties
Counselling Services
- Support of the pastoral care program
- Behaviour management support
- Individual personal counselling
- Group counselling
- Social skills training
- Group guidance lessons in classrooms
- College and career counselling
- Parent consultations
- Staff in-service
