Jewish Day School Services

Gateways Classroom Programs

Direct Services are provided to students individually and/or in small groups, both in and out of the classroom, to enhance their academic success and support their social, physical and behavioral development.  In some of the day schools, the therapist works with the entire class, one period per week, to instruct students and model techniques for the teacher. In addition, the therapist helps the teacher to integrate the program into daily teaching. Examples of whole class programs include: Engine Run (an Alert Program, which teaches children to get to their just right state for learning), social skills, printing and handwriting.

Another option for students who need more services, but are able to work within the school’s curriculum, is a class that is co-taught by the school’s teacher and a Gateways specialist. The teacher and specialist collaborate to plan lessons, curriculum modifications and learning strategies.

At some schools, for students who need more intensive instruction to develop reading and writing skills, Gateways provides an intensive language-arts alternative to the classroom. This class focuses on explicit teaching of skills including reading comprehension and decoding, written language, and word study (phonics, spelling and vocabulary).

Gateways currently offers the following types of services to students:

• Expressive Language Disorder (articulation, language processing, word retrieval, stuttering)
• Reading (decoding, comprehension)
• Written Expression (vocabulary, grammar, organization)
• Math Support
• Fine Motor Delay
• Gross Motor Delay
• Handwriting
• Sensory Integration
• Emotional/Physical Regulation
• Executive Function
• Social Skills
• Behavior

Gateways Consultation, Professional Development & Teacher Coaching Programs

Professional Development includes coaching and consultation to support faculty and teaching teams who facilitate the inclusion of diverse learners.  Gateways presents workshops to school staff, and pair these workshops with more in-depth work with teachers. As part of the teacher coaching, the Gateways specialist meets with the teacher regularly outside of the classroom, in order to help the teacher understand students’ learning styles and differentiated instruction, and plan lessons. In class, the specialist models alternative teaching strategies and assists the teacher with the implementation of differentiated instruction and classroom accommodations. Coaching is also available for the school’s support staff to help them better identify students with learning needs, support differentiated instruction in the classroom, and provide students with skills and strategies.

Gateways works with teachers in both general and Judaic studies and assists the schools with curriculum mapping in these areas as well. In addition, through literacy trainings, Gateways work with schools to promote student reading success by updating the school’s curriculum and training teachers.

The support that Gateways gives a teacher enhances the teacher’s ability to reach all students.

Gateways is grateful for the ongoing support of Boston's Combined Jewish Philanthropies, their Initiative for Day School Excellence and its Commission on Jewish Day School Education.