At the lower school, the Student Support Team 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 student support 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
Banana Splits peer support groups

Middle school student support includes individual, short-term, solution-based counseling on an as-needed basis in addition to bi-weekly group support in grades 6-7 and weekly in grade 8. Some of the topics are as follows:

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.

Across The Windward School’s four divisions and three campuses Dr. Anna Weiser, the director of student support and social emotional learning works collaboratively as a resource for faculty, staff, and families to support the school’s mission regarding opportunities for social and emotional growth in a diverse and inclusive setting.