Guidance Services: NPSS Guidance Services attempt to prevent problems by meeting the needs of children as they grow. The Guidance Program provides various services to help children cope with emotional, social, behavioral and/or academic problems. These services include:

• Developmental Classroom Guidance Lessons
• Individual Counseling
• Group Counseling
• Parent/Teacher Consultation
• Referral Services

Developmental Guidance: Students in Grades K-8 may participate in age-appropriate group guidance lessons to learn skills such as how to get along with others, how to cope with stress, ways to improve self-confidence, and how to study. Various hands-on activities and discussion are used to foster the development of social, emotional, and organizational skills expected of students at each grade level. 

Individual Counseling: Individual counseling is available to students who want or need one-to-one guidance in resolving their problems. Students may be referred for individual counseling by their parents, teachers or by the students themselves. Parent permission is obtained for individual counseling services.

Group Counseling: Students with similar problems meet in small groups with a guidance counselor to discuss and learn strategies to deal with their mutual concerns. Parents will be notified if a child is recommended to participate in group counseling.

Parent/Teacher Consultation: Counselors, teachers and parents work together by sharing information and ideas to develop a mutually agreed upon course of action that is most beneficial to the students.  The goal of consultation is to influence the attitude or behavior of a third party, usually the student.  Books and materials are available in the Guidance Center for teacher and parent use. 

Referral Services: When a child's needs exceed the capacity of the school counseling program, the counselor will provide a list of appropriate agencies/individuals who can address those needs.

*The information above is a generic description of the services available through NPSS Guidance Services. Specific programs may vary from school to school. For more details about the guidance program at your child's school, please contact the CCIU counselor assigned to your child's school or call the school directly.

Philosophy: The NPSS Mathematics program recognizes the need for each child to be successful in learning mathematics. This supplemental program is designed as an individualized instructional approach to provide the student with the opportunity to progress at his/her own ability level. A variety of teaching methods is used in a positive climate, which encourages students to actively participate in the learning process.

Program Goals: The goals of the program are:

• To help each child reach his/her individual potential in basic mathematics skills
• To create a positive attitude toward the study of mathematics
• To encourage each student to become a functioning and contributing member of the classroom
• To offer the child alternate approaches toward the mastery of math skills for practical applications in everyday life

Through an individualized program, the specialist and student work together to remediate and reinforce basic skills and concepts. Motivation is a key to the multifaceted approach in the mathematics instruction.

Program Components:

• Referral - Classroom teachers, principals, parents and students make referrals. In addition, standardized test scores and classroom performance are analyzed.
• Eligibility - Students are accepted into the program based on individualized needs as determined by the math specialist and the classroom teacher. Once eligibility is determined, parents are informed of the potential placement with the understanding that they may accept or decline the service.
• Instruction - Students are seen on a one-to-one or small group basis in at least 30-minute time periods.  The specialist and teacher will create a schedule that will cause minimal interruption for the student. The instructional procedures and activities are highly motivating, varied, and specifically related to predetermined instructional objectives. Activities included in the resource file are computer programs, motivational games, group drill activities and skill sheets. Keeping current with the classroom concepts is very important in establishing continuity and reinforcement for classroom performance. Therefore, those skills are given priority during instructional time. Grade level objectives have been established to work on with the students as well. 
• Evaluation - Continuous evaluation of student progress corresponds to classroom performance. The mathematics program instructional summary is sent home in January and June to keep parents informed. Conferences are scheduled with parents of each student at the end of the school year. During the year, the specialist is available for phone conferencing and/or e-mail.
• Dismissal from the Program - Upon completion of his/her objectives, a student may be dismissed from the program. Teacher and parental requests for dismissal are also considered.

*The information above is a generic description of the services available through the NPSS Mathematics Program. Specific programs may vary from school to school. For more details about the program at your child's school, please contact the CCIU math specialist assigned to your child's school or call the school directly.

NPSS reading specialists work with students, teachers and parents to develop a program that is appropriate for each child. Weekly, small group instruction is provided to address the students' needs and to support the curriculum in the classroom. Testing results and student progress are discussed with parents and appropriate school personnel.

Program Goals: The goal of the Non-Public School Services Reading Program is to facilitate quality literacy instruction for students in our schools.

Scientific research indicates that there are five essential components of reading that must be taught in order to learn to read.  (National Reading Panel).

The five essential elements of reading instruction include:

• Phonemic Awareness
• Alphabetic Principal
• Vocabulary
• Comprehension
• Fluency

Students enrolled in the Non-Public School Services Reading Program will be assessed and instructed in these areas to become successful readers.

NPSS Speech and Language Services are available to assess students' speech and language skills and to provide options for services. Kindergartners and new students are screened routinely for appropriate speech and language development.

Teachers, parents and other school personnel may refer a child who is suspected of having need(s) in the following areas:

• Articulation
• Language
• Fluency
• Voice

Students identified as having a possible need are evaluated when it is developmentally appropriate for the child. A Speech and Language Individual Plan (SLIP) is written for every child who qualifies for services. Parental consent is necessary for both an evaluation and for participation in the program.

Students are scheduled for weekly group or individual speech/language therapy. Home assignments may be given to supplement the in-school program.