Student Supports

We believe all students have value, infinite potential and the right to an excellent education. We offer a variety of programs to ensure all scholars can succeed. Whether you’re an English language learner, a student who requires academic intervention, or an advanced learner, we strive to support all students as they reach their full potential. Additionally, our special education team offers individualized instruction for students with unique learning needs. Our multi-tiered approach ensures every student has the opportunity to thrive.

Academic Support Plan

We understand that the transition from elementary school to middle school can be a challenge, but we are here to help. Getting organized, staying organized, and completing homework assignments are the keys to success. Our team is ready to assist students with each of these tasks.

At lunch, we will help you catch up on late and missing assignments, and after school we will help you keep up with current projects and homework. It is important that you take advantage of both times until you are caught up and passing all classes.

Even when you get back on track, remember... we will still be here every day if you need us. Your success is our mission.

-The Academic Support Team

Tiered Support

Parents and Schools working together for Student Success

Students have many different, individual needs and will benefit from receiving multiple levels of support. It is important to try different interventions both at home and at school to assist your child. Not all students respond to every intervention. Be creative and remember students in junior high are in a developmentally challenging time in their life!

The following are intervention suggestions for parents to try at home and options available at school. There are two tiers, or levels, of interventions that may be utilized to help students succeed.

Students enter and leave junior high with many different levels of organizational skills. Helping your student to develop and maintain regular organizational strategies and procedures will benefit their academic success. Students will benefit from:

A designated, quiet space to do homework, free of distractions
Doing homework at the same time each day to develop a routine
Organizing completed work into class folders and/or school binder
Having parents/guardians ask clarifying questions and check work for accuracy

Children thrive when they find balance at home and at school.

Sleep is vital for mental clarity and academic energy. Students in junior high are recommended to get 9-11 hours of sleep every night
Encourage students to get regular exercise and eat balanced healthy meals
Ask questions. Have conversations about what materials or supports are needed for students to feel they can do their best in school

A child who is doing poorly in school may be a discouraged child who feels out of control. Set and enforce high standards for behavior, be clear in your expectations, help your child respect self and others, and send them to school with the conviction that rules are to be followed and learning is important.

Monitor time spent on video games, watching TV, YouTube, social media, and phones
Set a device-free time before bed. It is recommended that people of all ages have at least 30 minutes before bed without looking at a screen to help fall and stay asleep
Get your student an alarm clock to have in their room as an alternative to using a phone. Store phones with parents to ensure restful nights for students

Parents are the primary coaches for children.

Reassure students that hard work and effort are more important than grades
keep students motivated through earning rewards (time to use electronics, see friends, etc.)
Support students to learn how to ask for help, and be confident to do so when needed

There are times when extra support might be necessary. Tutors can be found:

Online, through a google search
Through the recommendation of a friend or acquaintance
Through the school

Tier One Interventions - Support At School

Phone Calls/Emails
Teacher Help
Signed Planner
School Counselor Help
Kenilworth Website

When you have a concern about your child's learning in a class, call and leave a message for the teacher and/or email the teacher. Teachers will call/email you back in a timely manner.

Students are encouraged to speak with teachers directly to clarify any problems and to ask for help. Students can speak to teachers at break, at lunch or at an appropriate time during class.

The student writes the homework (or "no homework") in the planner and takes it to the teacher to be initialed. This ensures that parents know the expectations and can check work as necessary.

Student’s can request to see their counselor by filling out a counseling referral slip, located at the Student Window in the office. School counselors can help students identify strategies and solutions to issues they may be experiencing.

School-related information is found throughout our website.

Have you tried all of the interventions above for an extended time and your child is still not succeeding? You might need to try a Tier Two intervention.

The following intervention(s) can be utilized after Tier One interventions have been implemented and given time to gage effectiveness.

Tier Two Interventions

Counseling
Student Success Team Meeting (SST)

If there are personal or family issues interfering with success in school, a productive relationship with a supportive, trained adult counselor can be helpful. Outside providers, from such agencies as Petaluma People Services and St. Joseph’s Health Hospice of Petaluma, offer short and long term, individual and group options. Please contact these agencies directly for more information.

Petaluma People Services St. Joseph’s Health Hospice of Petaluma

When a child experiences difficulty in several classes and multiple interventions have been tried unsuccessfully, a Student Success Team meeting brings together school personnel and parents to discuss the student’s strengths, and challenges. The team brainstorms a concrete action plan to aid in success.

Student Supports