Student Services

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A Note from Student Services

Rivka Varnai

The Student Services Department is dedicated to ensuring that every student receives a strong educational foundation and the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. Our nurturing team of professionals is committed to identifying the individual needs of each student and providing instruction and support tailored to their academic, behavioral, social, and emotional growth.

Academic support is provided based on student needs, as identified by the school and outside evaluations, and includes targeted interventions in small groups and differentiated instruction in the classroom. Social and emotional support is provided within the classroom, in social groups, and in individual sessions as needed with the school social worker.

Collaboration is key to our approach. We work closely with parents, teachers, case managers, outside providers, deans, and our school social worker to develop and implement Individualized Support Plans that meet each student’s unique needs.

We welcome your questions and encourage open communication to support your child’s experience at Hillel Torah.   

Samara Kipnis

Rivka Varnai                                           

Director of Student Services Services

[email protected]         

Samara Kipnis                                         

Middle School Student Services Coordinator

[email protected]        

About out student services

Academic Resource Support 

Students receive academic support across all academic subjects, including both General and Judaic Studies. Classroom teachers provide differentiated instruction as the first level of intervention. For students requiring additional support, our learning specialists implement engaging, research-based interventions and regularly monitor progress to ensure meaningful learning and growth toward their educational goals.

Our learning specialists also serve as case managers, coordinating classroom accommodations with teachers and outside professionals. Identified students receive an intervention plan tailored to their needs. If further assessment is necessary, an outside evaluation may be recommended, and an Individualized Support Plan developed in collaboration with parents.

Eligible students receive targeted intervention in reading, writing, math, and Judaic studies in a resource setting, outside of the classroom, or within the classroom, as needed. Accommodations and modifications help students access grade-level curriculum, and small group testing is provided for standardized assessments.

About out student services

Social and Emotional Support 

Our licensed School Social Worker, Carly Glink, MSW provides individual and small-group support for students.

Mrs. Glink collaborates with private therapists to support students in the school setting. She helps students build self-awareness and resilience and teaches them productive decision-making skills. She also develops Wellness Workshops, safety initiatives, and parent educational programs to promote well-being for all of our students.

Our Social Work Programs include:

  • Safety Kid (Grades K, 2, 4): Teaches the ABCs of personal safety
  • Digital Citizenship: Middle school lessons on internet and social media safety
  • Family Life: Age-appropriate discussions on physical and emotional development for middle school students, led by a medical professional 
  • Stress and Anxiety Management: Techniques such as breathing exercises, mindfulness, and executive functioning strategies
  • Zones of Regulation: A cognitive-behavioral approach used to help students regulate their feelings, energy, and sensory needs
  • Social Thinking: Strategies for self-regulation, social-emotional learning, executive functioning, perspective-taking, and social problem-solving
  • Positive School Environment Initiative: Lessons on conflict resolution and recognizing and responding to bullying behaviors
About out student services

Outside Therapies and Evaluations

In-School Services from Outside Therapists
To support our families, we coordinate with outside agencies to provide therapies to our students during the school day.

  • REACH Occupational and Speech Therapy: A licensed occupational therapist and a speech therapist come to Hillel Torah on a weekly basis to consult with teachers, screen students, and provide direct support as needed, helping with fine motor skills, writing, classroom functioning, and language development.
  • Northwestern Speech Screening: Graduate students from Northwestern University conduct annual speech screenings for nursery, kindergarten, and first grade with additional screening available by referral for pre-nursery, second, and third grades.
  • NTDSE Speech Therapy: Niles Township District for Special Education provides speech therapy evaluations and therapy. We assist eligible families in accessing these services.

 

Referrals for Evaluations
If a comprehensive neuropsychological or educational evaluation is recommended, our Student Services team guides families to the appropriate outside resources. Qualifying families may access a REACH grant through the Jewish Federation for subsidized neuropsych evaluations.

About out student services

Our Team

We take pride in our team of 11 credentialed and licensed learning specialists who provide targeted instruction and support in both general and Judaic Studies. Our learning specialists are trained in multiple research-based methodologies, including Collaborative Problem Solving, Fountas and Pinnell Literacy, the Nurtured Heart Approach, Orton-Gillingham, Wilson Reading System, Kriah Master, Kiwak Kriya Method, and Lifnai Vlifnim

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