Academic Support is an early intervention program that uses a variety of strategies and techniques to gain a positive outlook on learning and to improve a child’s self-esteem.  Extra support is given using small group instruction on an as-needed basis for students in grades K-3. We use a district-created RTI model (Response to Intervention) approach and work with our district reading specialist to provide tiered support. Students are tiered according to their individual learning needs.  Each student that is included in the program receives an individual student improvement plan (ISIP). The ISIP includes grade-appropriate goals and objectives. The Academic Support teacher provides feedback of student’s progress using the ISIP, which is sent home at the end of each marking period.

Literacy Academic Support Program Grades K-1

• Academic Support is an intervention program that supports the classroom teacher’s curriculum by utilizing a variety of strategies and multisensory techniques. Kindergarten and first grade students are selected to participate in the pull-out academic support program based on teacher recommendation, as well as results of formal and informal assessments. Small groups are formed and support is provided in literacy. Students will learn using various instructional strategies and activities, including word work, guided reading and kinesthetic activities. All instruction is closely aligned with grade level curriculum and concepts from the classroom are reinforced.  Students will work on improving decoding skills, vocabulary, sight word recognition, reading accuracy, fluency, and comprehension. 
  • Shannon Rutowski, Academic Support Teacher Grade K-1    
  • Contact: srutowski@allendalek8.com

Literacy Academic Support Program Grades 2-3 

• Academic Support is an intervention program that supports the classroom teacher’s curriculum by utilizing a variety of strategies and techniques.  It is designed to provide additional instruction and practice to reinforce the necessary skills for learning. Extra assistance helps support the child within the classroom, which helps establish a positive learning environment that promotes good study skills and a positive attitude towards learning. The criteria for student selection is based upon  Teachers College Reading Benchmark Assessments, Fountas & Pinnell Reading Benchmark System and the STAR scores. In the Grade 2-3 program, students work on vocabulary, sight words, reading fluency and reading comprehension, which includes critical thinking skills as well as the infusion of writing to support the students throughout the curriculum. This program supports the Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop models being utilized in the classrooms.  
  • Monica Monks, Academic Support Teacher Grades 2 -3
  • Contact: mmonks@allendalek8.com

Reading Intervention Program Grades K-8

• This Reading intervention Program functions under the Academic Support program and is supervised by our district reading specialist. This program follows the Orton-Gillingham philosophy and uses a variety of strategies and multisensory techniques to help students gain the necessary skills to meet grade level goals and expectations.  The instruction is specifically in the area of phonemic awareness, phonics, spelling, vocabulary, handwriting and fluency. Student selection is based on students who are currently in the Academic Support Program and are in need of additional individualized support. The reading specialist progress monitors all the students in the district (Grades 1-8) using the universal screener: STAR Early Literacy and STAR Reading. All kindergarten students are progress monitored using Allendale’s Kindergarten Phonemic Awareness screener.  When a student falls below the district benchmark on these screeners, other assessments are administered to qualify for this program.
  • Danielle Walter, District Reading Specialist, Grades K-8
  • Contact: dwalter@allendalek8.com 

Math Academic Support Instruction Grades  K - 3

• The Academic Support Math program supports the current math curriculum.  It is a once-weekly combination pull out/push in program. It is designed to be flexible and affords additional support to all students in grades K-3 on an as-needed basis.  Students work in small groups and are selected based upon teacher referral and classroom observation. Students work on number facts, basic math concepts, time, money, and measurement.  
  • Grade K-1: Shannon Rutowski
  • Grades 2-3: Monica Monks