The Pegasus Support Team meets once a week to review the children who are identified by the teachers as having educational and/or emotional issues affecting their progress and achievement in class.
Psychologist
Our clinical psychologist conducts behavioral observation and psycho-diagnostic testing deemed necessary by the student support team, and consultations with teachers and parents. The psychologist also conducts Life Skills classes with the lower school director and Time Together Groups (small social skills/coping skills groups) for first through fifth graders. The clinical psychologist co-leads early childhood parenting workshops with the pre-school teachers regarding a variety of parenting topics and provides ongoing in-services for the faculty on various issues identified by the administrators. When needed, the psychologist provides short-term counseling to both children and families.
Math Specialist
Our math specialist coordinates the kindergarten through eighth grade mathematics program and provides resources, and support to the faculty, and students. Students who are excelling in math and need enrichment benefit from the support, as well as students who need supplementary assistance in math. The specialist works with both groups of students in a small class setting and alongside teachers in the classroom. The math coordinator is responsible for the implementation of the mathematics curriculum and the sharing of new resources and ideas with the faculty and administration. The Math Specialist is also a member of the Student Support Team, where he/she provides information, diagnostic testing, and support to students in need of assistance in mathematics.
Middle School Learning Specialist
The middle school learning specialist collaborates with our classroom teachers, school psychologist, administrators and the parents. She administers initial screenings of students in many different areas including memory, writing, comprehension and attention. She acts as a liaison between parents and outside support services, attends Student Support Team meetings and helps plan strategies to be implemented in the classroom. She works with students in small groups on subject area remediation, study skills and organization.
Lower School Reading Specialist
The lower school reading specialist implements a specialized reading program for children in grades pre-kindergarten through fifth. The program is designed to ensure that students are provided with instructional assistance in a sequential and systematic manner that meets their individual needs. Critical thinking skills and problem solving techniques are an integral and creative part of the program. Remediation includes strategies from the Lindamood Bell reading program, Project Read, and Open Court to develop intensive phonemic awareness and strengthen comprehension skills. Technology based programs are also used as a skill building tool to augment the child’s reading and writing activities. Practice of letter sounds and the blending process is stressed for all students, as well as sight recognition of new words. Verbal and written activities offer opportunities for self-expression.
The goal of the program is to spark the students’ enthusiasm and interest in reading and in the writing process. As their reading skills improve, confidence and a feeling of success in all academic areas will be evident.
Student selection is based on teacher recommendation, assessment results, or prior participation in the program. Grade level groups may involve up to six students, in addition to whole class instruction at the Pre-K through first grade level. Collaboration with the teachers and in class adaptations are always integrated. Lessons may parallel what the teacher is doing in class or completely different instruction may be elicited.
The reading specialist is a member of the student support team which provides a network of firm support and assurance for the students referred. In addition, contributions are made to enhance staff development and training of teachers and parents in different reading programs and strategies. Diagnostic tests are administered throughout the year to aid in determining areas of mastery and areas of weaknesses.