There is a full-time school psychologist at the Hajjar School. The telephone number is 436-9551. The program is set up to serve all pupils, not just the gifted, the slow learner, or the problem pupil. The approach is developmental and the main concern is to help all pupils to achieve optimal development.
The school psychologist is a resource person for students, teacher and parents; they assists in the CORE evaluation process (see Special Needs section for more information); and coordinates achievement testing.
One of the functions of the Psychologist is to help teachers understand children better. At the request of the teacher, the Psychologist may spend time with a pupil in individual counseling, but will do so only as assistance to the teacher. Another part of the Psychologist's responsibility is to meet with parents in order to help them understand their children better.
Please note that the Psycholgist is not a therapist.
Mr. Hamm, our school psychologist
Massachusetts State Law mandates that all students between the ages of 3 and 21 be provided with an educational program that will enable them to achieve to their potential. The main focus of the Special Needs Department is to develop and provide services and assistance to those students having difficulty at their developmental level. These children are referred for evaluations. A request for an evaluation is most often made by teachers and parents.
Before an evaluation is conducted, efforts are made to meet a child's needs within the regular classroom. An evaluation is made to decide what changes, if any, should be incorporated into the child's educational program to address the child's special needs. In-depth assessments are conducted to assist the staff in defining needs. A team is formed of the child's parents, regular and special educators, and administrators. The team reviews the results of the assessments and determines specific educational objectives and recommendations. The team is involved in developing Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) to help each child achieve to the fullest of his/her abilities.
Students receive skill instruction, remediation and support services in their classroom and in small groups for short periods of time during the day. These support services enable students to be maintained in the regular educational program.
Skill and remediation services are provided for children who show deficits in processing information that can affect one or more subject areas.
Children may be assessed for intervention services in the following areas: motor performance, perceptual skills, self-directed behavior skills, and pre-vocational skills.
The speech and language program services children who demonstrate substantial disabilities and/or delays in the areas of receptive and expressive language, vocabulary, and other speech-related difficulties that could impact on communication abilities and academic success.
Physical Therapists remediate the gross motor functions of children with various disabilities. Problems addressed may be in the areas of motor tone, strengths, range of motion, balance and/or coordination by means of manipulation, massage or exercise. A doctor's prescription is required for children to receive physical therapy.