yeshivat or chaimulpanat orot

student support program

bnei akiva schools leadership

bnei akiva schools faculty

yeshivat or chaim / ulpanat orot student support program

Successful intelligence is “the kind of intelligence used to achieve important goals.”

-Robert Sternberg

At Bnei Akiva Schools we strive to teach students to be successfully intelligent - that is, we teach students to both capitalize on their strengths and to compensate for their weaknesses. Our approach encourages the development of analytical, creative, and practical approaches to learning, with the goal of enhancing students’ opportunities for success at school and in life.

student accommodations committeeOur Student Accommodations Committee consists of administrative staff, the Director of Student Support, the Director of Guidance and a student support teacher. The Committee meets on an ongoing basis to review and discuss any issues that relate to student support services at the Bnei Akiva schools.

services of the student support program

1. To teach learning strategies to students and help them apply those strategies

2. To create an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for students, in consultation with students and parents. The IEP will reflect information gleaned from the psycho-educational assessment submitted to the school and previous school records

3. To provide teachers with information regarding students’ profiles (strengths and needs), and recommend accommodations and any other helpful suggestions which might facilitate teaching/learning

4. To recommend learning strategies for students which may help in their efforts to achieve their academic goals

5. To work one on one with students on an individual, ad hoc basis to discuss their learning difficulties and/or social/emotional concerns

6. To communicate regularly with teachers and parents for the benefit of the student

7. To provide individual and/or small group tutoring in specific academic subjects by a student support teacher

bnei akiva schools leadership

bnei akiva schools faculty

5

accommodations

yeshivat or chaim / ulpanat orot student support program 3

Accommodations may be granted to students based on recommendations in the psycho-educational assessment, taking into account the structures within our school and practices that we believe to be within the best interests of our students. There are no guaranteed accommodations; each student is reviewed individually, based on the information provided.

possible accommodations include:• A Learning Strategies course as a substitute for the

required French credit. In this course, students are taught strategies applicable to school, work and life.

• Extra time for exams (an additional 50% of the allotted exam time)

• Extra time for tests (test items are removed and those removed represent a variety of difficulty levels, determined by the teacher)

• Computer use in the classroom and/or for tests and exams

• Calculator for math

• Note-taking buddies (All students are required to take any notes e.g. words/phrases, in class that are meaningful to them; extra notes may be a supplement, not a replacement for their own notes)

• Preferential classroom seating

• Oral instructions to supplement written instructions or vice versa for assignments

• Highlighting of key words/phrases on exams (grades 9 & 10)

• “Fact Sheet” (teacher developed) for major tests/exams that does not compromise test/exam items

• In rare cases, and with special arrangements by the subject teacher, oral extension of written tests. That is, the student will write class tests; however, if time, and both student and teacher scheduling permit, the student may be allowed to extend written responses orally with the teacher.

• Additional accommodations may be discussed on an individual basis.

eligibility for accommodations All students are eligible to receive student support services; however, in order for a student to have an IEP and receive accommodations, the student must have a psycho-educational assessment which identifies learning issues that might interfere with academic success. A student who does not have a psycho-educational assessment but is being treated by a specialist for a physical or psychological ailment, and requires access to the extra-time accommodation must submit a signed letter from the specialist (on the professional’s official letterhead) stating this requirement and the reason for this requirement. All determinations will be made on a case by case basis.

yeshivat or chaimulpanat orot

At Bnei Akiva Schools, we promote an ACTIVE approach to learning. Students are encouraged to participate actively in the learning process and to apply strategies to help themselves. An active approach to learning means that students should strive to:

Attend all classes

Come prepared for all classes, i.e. text, binder, writing utensils

Take notes in all classes

Increase efficiency through organization

Vocalize i.e. participate in class discussion

Eyes and ears are focused on the lesson

our ultimate goals for all bnei akiva students are:• to gain the skill and self-confidence to advocate for themselves, and• to become independent lifelong learners

dr. marilyn izattdirector of student services • mizatt@bneiakivaschools.org

Dr. Marilyn Izatt has been working with students, parents, and staff at Bnei Akiva Schools for the past five years as Special Education Coordinator. Nine years earlier, she developed TanenbaumCHAT’s Remediation program to serve students with learning weaknesses who may not qualify for a more intense Special Education Program. Dr. Izatt received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Toronto. She believes that not only do students need to develop to their full potential, but equally important goals are to gain the skill and confidence to advocate for themselves and to become independent lifelong learners.

mrs. temima cohendirector of guidance • tcohen@bneiakivaschools.org

Mrs. Temima Cohen has worked as a teacher and a cognitive support worker in Tiferes Bais Yaakov for the last four years. She has also been a Social Work consultant in The Cheder Chabad and has practiced private Social Work within the Toronto community. Mrs. Cohen received an honours Bachelors of Social Work from Ryerson University and a Masters of Social Work from The University of Toronto with a focus on child and family. She is a registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers. Mrs. Cohen is very excited to fill a newly created position in The Bnei Akiva Schools, Director of Guidance. She is looking forward to being able to provide educational, emotional, and social guidance and support to both the Ulpana and Yeshivat Or Chaim students.