STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
YULA High School Student Support Services’ mission is to provide a safe and exemplary educational community by delivering individualized activities and interventions that address academic barriers. We strive to make each student feel valued and respected and ensure a warm environment where students work to meet and achieve their academic needs and goals. Our intention is to demystify what it means to struggle academically and embrace and celebrate every student’s learning differences. Our advocates remain consistent and engaged with each student, which helps every student build self-confidence, independence, and motivation to succeed.
Our Support Services Offer
1 Accommodation Management
4 One-on-One and Small Group Sessions
2 Executive Functioning Assistance
5 Study Skills
3 Individual Student Profiles
6 Peer Tutoring
OUR LEARNING CENTER
Kestenbaum Commons is a collaborative learning center that houses the Student Support Center, Mintz Family Resource Center, and IT Department. The walls are transparent on both sides because, as our Head of School Rabbi Sufrin says, “there’s no stigma to student support.” It is strategically placed in the center of campus, and it is a place for students to study in a quiet and calm environment.
I was told that my son might have a learning disability.
What does this mean?
First, it does not mean that he is unintelligent (often, kids with learning disabilities are as intelligent or more intelligent than their peers), but rather that he has difficulty with certain aspects of learning. The process of learning involves many different steps, from gathering information to remembering and expressing it, and there can be vulnerabilities at different stages of the process. Our objective is for your son to get to know his own unique learning style, with all its strengths and challenges, so that he can use his awareness of both to accomplish his goals.
Can
you have learning challenges without having a
learning disability?
Sure! Everyone who ever attended school has experienced periods of frustration and confusion when mastering new material. We are here for those types of challenges as well. We work with YULA’s general studies teachers, rebbeim, and administrators to help determine the best shortterm solutions when a student is struggling. Sometimes, that might mean that the student will meet with us directly; at other times, we may speak with teachers to advise them on plans for supporting students within a class.
How will my son gain independence?
We will create an incremental plan that provides support while also allowing him to assume more responsibility at different stages of the process. We will emphasize particular skills and habits, create methods for your son to remind himself of these, and also share our goals and strategies with you so that you can help reinforce them if you’d like.
How do you measure success?
We measure success by the improvement made in the individual goals chosen for each student. We delve deeply into each boy’s educational profile to create a plan for him, and no two are the same.
Can my son be in this program and be in AP and Honors classes?
Absolutely!
QA &
How does the student support team communicate with parents, teachers, and rebbeim?
We are in frequent communication with all three. It is important to us not only to communicate each student’s needs to those who can best help him but also to stay informed of his current challenges.
What if my child isn’t motivated?
Sometimes a boy comes to us not feeling particularly enthused about a certain class, or academics in general. However, the chances are good that he is passionately interested in something. We will be keeping our eyes and ears open to learn more about what that is and how we can encourage him to make the most of his YULA experience. In the meantime, we will provide a friendly place for him to stay on top of his classwork, along with strategies to make his life as a student easier. Speaking from experience, we predict that he will eventually hit his stride.
What if my child needs more help than you can provide?
Speak to us about this, and we will give you recommendations of good tutors, educational therapists, and psychologists.
Do you work with YULA’s counseling services?
Yes! We work closely with the guidance department to ensure your son’s social and emotional health.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
Steps to Success
The Student Support Service staff liaise between students, faculty, administrators, parents, and the Director of Guidance
Counseling to monitor performance in and out of the classroom.
Step 1
Comprehensive student intake process prior to or after admission
Step 2
Develop student profiles and support plans
Step 3
Meet with students one-on-one or in small groups to determine what methods and strategies will work to maximize student’s success
Step 4
Work closely with the Guidance Department to ensure the overall well-being of students
STUDENT SUPPORT STAFF
Martin Jauregui, Ed.D
Learning Specialist
Ed.D Educational Leadership, USC
M.Ed Student Affairs, USC
B.S. Biology, USC
Martin Jauregui, Ed.D
Learning Specialist
Ed.D Educational Leadership, USC
M.Ed Student Affairs, USC
B.S. Biology, USC
Rabbi Dov Rosenbluth, LMFT Director of Guidance
M.S. Counseling, Marriage, and Family Therapy, CSUN
M.S. Special Education, Adelphi University
Janell LaRue, B.A. Resource Specialist
B.A. Carroll College Lindamood-Bell Trained
Rabbi Josh Maslow, ASW Guidance Counselor
M.A. Social Work, Boston University
B.A. Psychology, Yeshiva University
