Student Support
Gesher Program at SHA
The Gesher Program provides comprehensive support for students with diverse learning styles and needs. We offer a range of specialized services, including speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, social-emotional support, and targeted instruction in Judaic Studies, Hebrew, Reading, and Math. Our Learning Center Specialists work one-on-one, in small groups, and alongside classroom teachers to ensure each student's unique requirements are fully addressed. This multifaceted approach cultivates a nurturing, inclusive learning environment where all students can flourish.
SHA is committed to educational excellence for all students. Individualized and small group programs are available for advanced learners in both the classroom and the Learning Center. Enrichment activities are designed to enhance the educational experience by offering opportunities for students to explore subjects in greater depth, develop critical thinking skills, go beyond the standard curriculum, expand their skills, and cultivate students' interests.
Shalom Room — Counseling and Behavior Support
At SHA, the social and emotional wellbeing of students is at the center of child development and academic achievement. Following the guidance of Project SHAlom, our Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) program, we focus on developing skills for lifelong learning and emotional intelligence.
What is SEL?
CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) defines Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) as the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. We follow their model for learning that focuses on these competencies:
1. Self-awareness
2. Self-management
3. Social awareness
4. Relationship skills
5. Responsible decision-making
Developing Student Skills
To develop these skills in our students, SHA provides learning in the classroom using the Second Step Curriculum, Positive Discipline Curriculum, and Responsibility-Centered Discipline (RCD). Second Step offers lessons each week taught by the classroom teacher on social and emotional skills. Positive Discipline provides a framework for learning expectations and community building that is led by the classroom teacher. RCD is an approach to discipline that is based on concepts for developing responsible students. The teacher guides and coaches a student to make responsible decisions with their behaviors and learning.
In addition to the classroom curricula, the SHA counselor provides 30-minute lessons every week in each classroom focusing on social-emotional learning using the Zones of Regulation curriculum and integrating the Second Step curriculum. The Zones of Regulation framework focuses on self-regulation and emotional control. Additionally, the counselor provides individual support, including daily check-ins, for students based on an individual learning plan designed with the school team and family.
