Student Support

Dr. Ania Siwek
Psychologist

Mike Ackerman
Guidance Counselor – Students whose last names begin w/ letters L-Z.

Lisa Kahan
Guidance Counselor – Students whose last names begin w/ letters A-K.

For lower school students, the school psychologist and the guidance counselor work collaboratively with the teachers to promote a positive school climate with an emphasis on prosocial behaviors and character development. This includes, teachers being supported in incorporating components of the Responsive Classroom approach. Additionally, faculty members are trained in the strategies necessary to help students develop social and emotional skills through repeated practice, modeling and reinforcement. When necessary, classroom observations are conducted and teachers are provided with recommendations about how to best support each individual student.

The lower school guidance program also includes the following:

• New student transition support
• Coordination with outside providers
• Introductory unit on learning disabilities and dyslexia for 4th graders
• Lunch groups for students who would benefit from additional practice of social skills in a small setting
• Staff development and training based on research and professional practice
• Short-term solution based counseling when necessary
• Crisis intervention when necessary

Dr. Ania Siwek
Psychologist

Mike Ackerman
Guidance Counselor – Students whose last names begin w/ letters L-Z.

Lisa Kahan
Guidance Counselor – Students whose last names begin w/ letters A-K.

Middle school students receive individual, short-term, solution-based counseling on an as-needed basis, in addition to scheduled group guidance lessons. Topics covered are as follows:

• Grade 5: demystifying learning disabilities; self-esteem building, friendship making skills; bullying and teasing prevention, social media etiquette/cyber safety
• Grade 6: bullying and teasing prevention; conflict resolution skills; communication and social skills, diversity/tolerance, social media etiquette/cyber safety
• Grade 7: Bullying and teasing prevention; problem solving; stress management and mindfulness; social media etiquette and cyber safety; diversity and tolerance; healthy decision-making and drug, alcohol, and tobacco education
• Grade 8: GAINS (Getting Ahead In School) – A full-year course focused on self-advocacy skills as students prepare for outplacement. Includes units on stress reduction and mindfulness; drug & alcohol education; diversity and tolerance and high school transition.

Dr. Jackie Britt-Friedman
Psychologist

At the lower school, the psychologist works collaboratively with and acts as a resource for faculty. In addition, consultation to teachers is provided to give faculty members the strategies necessary to help students develop social and emotional skills through repeated practice, modeling and reinforcement. Also, by engaging in solution-based discussions with teachers and conducting classroom observations when necessary, the team provides recommendations about how to best support individual students in the classroom.

The guidance program also includes the following:

• New student transition support
• Coordination with outside providers
• Introductory unit on learning disabilities and dyslexia for 4th graders
• Short-format lunch groups for students who would benefit from additional practice of social skills in a small setting
• Staff development and trainings based on research and professional practice
• Short-term, solution-based counseling and/or crisis intervention when necessary

Julie Liebman
Dean of Student Support Services, Guidance Counselor for students in grade 5

Amy Hughes
Guidance Counselor – Students whose last names begin w/ letters A-L.

Nicole Hanby
Guidance Counselor – Students whose last names begin w/ letters M-Z.

Middle school guidance includes individual, short-term, solution-based counseling on an as-needed basis in addition to bi-weekly group guidance in grades 5-7 and weekly in grade 8. Topics are as follows:

• Grade 5: Demystifying learning differences; self-esteem building, friendship making and communication skills; bullying and teasing prevention; social media etiquette and cyber safety
• Grade 6: Bullying and teasing prevention; conflict resolution skills; communication and social skills; diversity and tolerance; social media etiquette and cyber safety
• Grade 7: Bullying and teasing prevention; problem solving; stress management and mindfulness; social media etiquette and cyber safety; diversity and tolerance; healthy decision-making and drug, alcohol and tobacco education
• Grade 8: GAINS (Getting Ahead In School) – A full-year course focused on self-advocacy skills as students prepare for outplacement. Includes units on stress reduction and mindfulness; drug & alcohol education; diversity and tolerance and high school transition.
• Grade 9: Students participate in a high school advisory period in order to discuss academic and social concerns appropriate to their developmental level. In addition, 9th grade students have an opportunity to participate in grade wide community service projects.