Learning Support Services

The Lower School learning specialists work closely with students, teachers, parents, and administration to support the development of students' skills. The specialists serve as members of the Lower School Support Team which is composed of the Lower School Head, the Lower School Assistant Head, and the psychologist. The team meets on a regular basis to discuss individual students as well as to review educational issues and current research.
 
The learning specialists assist with the implementation of curriculum and presents workshops to teachers and parents on topics such as child development, reading across the grades, brain research, and testing. In addition to small group instruction, the specialists work with teachers to observe and assess children to determine appropriate educational strategies. The learning specialists are the liaison between St. Luke's and outside educational consultants, and they serve as a resource for parents to answer questions about child development and learning. 

The Upper School learning specialist collaborates with classroom teachers to support the development of students’ skills. The specialist helps students with time management, study and organizational skills, writing skills, math concepts, and research-based projects. The specialist serves as a resource for faculty and meets with them regularly to promote teaching strategies that benefit a range of learning styles.
 
In addition, the Upper School specialist serves as a member of the Upper School Support Team which is composed of the Upper School Head, the Dean of Students, the Director of Learning Services, and the psychologist. The team meets on a regular basis to discuss individual students as well as to review educational issues and current research. The specialist monitors student progress along with the Upper School Support Team. She keeps parents advised on their child’s progress and interfaces with outside tutors, specialists, and evaluators as needed. In addition, the learning specialist oversees accommodations and communicates the interpretations of standardized test results. For students who want or need additional support, the learning specialist is available for small group or individual support.

The psychologist meets with students individually, leads an ongoing group for students who are living with one parent or one parent at a time, and also leads time-limited groups to address specific social and emotional needs. Further, he runs a book club with parents to discuss books pertaining to parenting and child development.

The psychologist meets weekly with the Upper and Lower School division heads, Director of Learning Services and learning specialists to discuss the social and emotional needs of children and is one of the liaisons with outside therapists and evaluators. He conducts classroom observations and consults with parents, teachers and administrators on a range of social and emotional issues. He assists in implementing the RULER program in classrooms, works on the Human Growth and Development curriculum with the Lower School administrators and faculty and works on the Upper School advisory curriculum with the deans and faculty.