Student Support
Student Study Team: How we ensure all children receive the necessary support
The Walden School Student Study Team is a collaborative brainstorming group of teachers, administrators, parents, and specialists. SST works together to consider a child’s strengths and needs to set goals and create an individualized plan that empowers students to reach their personal best by implementing necessary supports and accommodations. Whole class meetings are held at the beginning of each year to determine what supports are needed. Individual meetings are scheduled based on teacher observation and referral.
Support may include speech and language screenings and evaluation, observation and consultation with an occupational therapist, participation in small group or individual sessions with the school counselor, or referral for academic evaluation.
The Walden School is proud to share a well-established partnership with the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU), whose supports include evaluations for speech therapy, educational consultations with a school psychologist, and comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluations that provide teachers with information that allow them to further individualize instruction for a student. For qualifying K-5 students, Walden provides onsite weekly speech and language therapy.
On a social and emotional level, The Walden School offers school counseling services to support the positive self-awareness and confidence that are vital to a child’s development. The School Counselor runs Lifeskills character education classes with all students in the Primary through fifth grades during which children have meaningful conversations about social issues in class as well as in the greater community and world. The in-class lessons place a strong emphasis on friendship, positive decision-making, and problem-solving skills. In addition, the counselor works with students in need on an individual basis or in small groups. Friendship groups are offered throughout the year to further guide students at varied developmental levels as they engage and navigate their social worlds.
Student Study Team (SST)
Carly Tolson
Haley Kerby
