Health and Safety

The learning needs and special strengths of students are identified through a variety of forms of assessment, including informal teacher observation and checklists, grade-level assessments in reading, writing, spelling, and math, standardized tests, parental concerns, and, when appropriate, external professional evaluations. In-class learning support strategies, additional learning support, and other interventions are designed to support the individual student. The following support structures also exist:

• Language Support in English, French and Spanish, Grades 1-5: The English, French and Spanish language support coordinators provide in-class and out-of-class support for individuals and small groups in English, French and Spanish.
• Learning Specialist: Our learning specialists work with teachers and students to provide strategies to address identified learning needs.
• Mathematics Support: The math support teacher works with teachers to plan differentiated lessons and provides in-class support and out-of-class support for individuals and small groups in Grades 1-5.

• WIS employs the Responsive Classroom approach, which supports the strong connection between social-emotional learning (SEL) and academic success by using practices to develop engaging learning environments and a community whose members feel significant and valued.
• The counselors work with teachers to provide classroom lessons to develop healthy friendships, solve social problems, and increase self-esteem.
• Counseling support consists of short-term individual or small-group support for students, as well as consultation with teachers, either individually or during quarterly grade-level team pastoral meetings, and meeting with parents.

Student learning needs are initially identified through individual teacher assessments, student progress meetings, a learning specialist or other administrator, or parental queries. Once a problem is noted and evaluated, the team will identify in-class learning support strategies, additional learning support, and other interventions. If necessary, a recommendation might be made for further external evaluation. There are three tiers of academic support:

• Subject Labs: These sessions are run by teachers to support classroom learning.
• After School Supervised Study: Supervised study provides organized, monitored study time for students, which includes support for organizational and study skills as well as assistance with homework and test preparation.
• Tutoring: Families wishing to engage tutors should contact the learning specialist, who maintains a list of WIS-approved tutors.

• A certified professional school counselor provides short-term individual counseling, crisis intervention, psychosocial assessment, and referral to outside services as needed.
• Advisors meet with students for one hour per eight-day cycle in Grades 6-8, as well as for 10 minutes during homeroom.
• Along with the division principal, assistant principal, teachers, and advisors, the counselor also provides psycho-education programs through life skills classes which meet once per eight-day cycle in Grades 6 and 7. Topics covered through these programs include depression and anxiety, relationships, communication, peer pressure, drugs, alcohol, stress management, conflict resolution, and sexual health.

Student learning needs are initially identified through individual teacher assessments, student progress meetings, or parental queries. Once a problem is identified, the learning specialist or counselor may conduct a more focused assessment. Students can receive academic support at school from their teachers, the learning specialist, or through the following two after school programs:

• After School Supervised Study: Supervised study provides organized, monitored study time for students, which includes support for organizational and study skills as well as assistance with homework and test preparation.
• Tutoring: Families wishing to engage tutors should contact the learning specialist, who maintains a list of WIS-approved tutors.

• A certified professional school counselor provides short-term individual counseling, crisis intervention, psychosocial assessment, and referral to outside services as needed.
• Advisors meet with students for one hour per eight-day cycle in Grades 9-10, as well as for 10-minutes during homeroom.
• Along with the division principal, assistant principals, teachers, and advisors, the counselor also provides psycho-education through life skills classes which meet once per eight-day cycle in Grades 9 and 10. Topics covered through these programs include depression and anxiety, relationships, communication, peer pressure, drugs, alcohol, stress management, conflict resolution, and sexual health.