Workshop – Featuring Baruti “Principal” Kafele
Thank you to our speaker Baruti Kefele and all our attendees at our recent Closing the Attitude Gap workshop. Principal Kafele challenged attendees to look at the underachievement of at-risk students differently and provided strategies for closing the “attitude gap.”
Read Across America 2019 at Westbridge Academy
Students at Westbridge Academy celebrated National Read Scross America Day by joining members of our local community to celebrate by reading together!
Direct Instruction Turns Non-Readers Around
Spearheaded by Tania Miller, Westbridge Academy’s Reading Specialist, the school has launched a new reading initiative, and the opportunity to receive one-on-one reading intervention to help increase their reading skills.
The Reflection Room: 1:1 Social and Emotional Learning
Sometimes, when a student is upset, they just need a safe place to stop, take a break, and reflect. The Reflection Room at Westbridge Academy was established this fall to offer an additional therapeutic layer of intervention for students. It offers a calm, supportive therapeutic environment away from the social and instructional pressures of the classroom where students can go to cool off, manage frustrations and take a break.
Executive Function Skills in the Classroom
For many students at Westbridge Academy, executive function skills are the “missing link” to achievement. That is why Westbridge staff began a year of growth and development, creating and implementing Authentic Problem Based Learning Units into their daily classroom work with their students.
Where are They Now?: Ryan
Ryan was just 5 years old when he started at Westbridge Academy. Jessica recalls how Westbridge stepped in right away; they assisted in managing his outbursts, creating a quiet, safe environment, and providing support services.
Helping Children Manage the Stress of Life
In order to help children cope effectively with stress, it is important to understand how a child is emotionally and mentally processing life. One useful framework that psychologists often use is Cognitive-Behavioral Theory (CBT), which looks at humans’ essential functions within three basic domains: thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Viviana Litovsky, Ph.D. Appointed To NJ Special Ed. Council
Viviana Litovsky, Ph.D., Executive Director of Westbridge Academy, has been appointed to serve as a member of the New Jersey State Special Education Advisory Council (SSEAC) having an impact on the future of special education policy in the state of New Jersey.