Student Support
תמיכת תלמידים
Advisory
JLA’s Advisory program is designed to empower students to grow academically, socially and emotionally. We understand that education goes beyond textbooks and that is why we’ve integrated a comprehensive approach to student development. Every student is assigned to an Advisory group under the direction of a faculty mentor and time is set aside every week for the group to meet.
Our advisory program places a strong emphasis on Social Emotional Learning (SEL), which is essential for students’ well being and future success.
Through our SEL curriculum students will develop crucial skills such as self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making. In addition to Social Emotional Learning, advisory will incorporate health education lessons. These lessons will encompass topics such as mental health, substance abuse prevention, and other health-related topics. Furthermore, JLA will collaborate with community partner organizations to host speakers who can share their personal experiences.
School Connect, an integral part of JLA’s advisory program, it helps students build meaningful relationships with peers, teachers, and staff. Through group discussions, team-building activities, and mentorship, students will feel more connected to their school environment.
To prepare our students for leadership roles and personal growth, we’ve incorporated Growing Leaders: Habitudes into our advisory program. These resources provide our students with practical life skills, character development, and leadership qualities that will serve them well in their academic and future careers.
Counseling
For the past two decades, Theresa Niedosik has served as a much beloved school counselor at New Foundations Charter School in Philadelphia.
Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Drexel University and a Masters of Education in School Guidance and Counseling from Widener University, Theresa’s well-rounded background makes her a great resource for our students and their families. Her infectious smile and radiant warmth made her easy to talk to and an invaluable resource for guiding and supporting students both emotionally and academically through their educational journeys.
During her leisure time, Theresa finds joy in baking, cooking, and taking long walks. Her family, friends, and pets — a dog and two Sphynx cats — hold a special place in her heart.
Counseling Services
We believe that growth goes beyond the classroom. Our comprehensive school counseling program nurtures the whole student and is tailored to meet the unique needs of our students. Our counseling team is here to support students on their journey to academic success, personal growth, and emotional wellbeing.
- Academic Guidance
- Personal Development
- Emotional Support
- College and Career Readiness
- Conflict Resolution
- Crisis Intervention
- Short Term Individual Counseling
- Group Counseling
- Referrals for Outside Services
Resources
Jewish Community Services
JCS’ Behavioral Health Services has resources to support children, adolescents, adults and seniors – of all religions and backgrounds – through difficult times. We concentrate on defining goals, reducing conflict, building communication skills and enhancing the ability to manage worry and stress.
Chai Lifeline
Chai Lifeline’s programs and services meet the unique emotional, social and financial needs of families living with serious illness or loss.
Amudim
Amudim is dedicated to serving community members in times of crisis. Founded on the pillars of kindness, compassion, and dignity, Amudim functions as a confidential resource center that provides meaningful assistance, enduring support, and direct referrals for individuals and families impacted by sexual abuse, neglect, and addiction, and other crisis-related matters.
Children’s Bereavement Center
The Children’s Bereavement Center provides free Peer Support Groups for children, young adults, and adults after the death of a loved one. Groups are open to anyone who has lost a parent, sibling, grandparent, relative, or friend as a result of illness, accident, suicide, or homicide.
The Children’s Trust
Parent resources with links to community activities and events.
BeWell Miami
The Jewish community is dedicated to promoting the well-being of young people. With BeWell, you will find support and tools to respond to the growing mental health concerns of young people aged 12 to 26, and resources for adolescents, parents, caregivers and Jewish professionals.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
Workshops
Academic Support
Tutorial
JLA students have the opportunity to attend tutorials for each class they are enrolled in. The purpose of tutorial is to provide students with review and assistance on material covered in class. All teachers have tutorial/office hours each week either on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday.
Tutorial runs from 4:10 – 4:55 PM during the Option 9 block, and students are welcome to attend as often as they desire. Teachers may also request that a student attend a tutorial class if the teacher believes it is pertinent.
Learning Specialist
Given the small class sizes at JLA, the Learning Specialist provides each student with tailored support. Students frequently come to academically demanding settings with a variety of learning needs, including learning disabilities, giftedness, and other exceptionalities. The Learning Specialist is essential in ensuring that students who are struggling academically receive the specialized support they need, that gifted students are appropriately challenged, and that the curriculum is thoughtfully differentiated to meet the diverse and individual learning needs of each student.
01. Individualized Support
In collaboration with students, staff, and parents, our Learning Specialist identifies students’ areas of growth and areas of strengths in order to create individualized learning plans. Learning plans can include, but are not limited to, accommodations and enrichment opportunities tailored to each students’ needs. Our goal is to ensure highly motivated students remain engaged, challenged and supported throughout their academic journey despite their learning differences.
02. Progress Monitoring
Monitor students’ academic progress throughout the year and ensure they are performing at their best.
03. Collaboration
Work alongside students, teachers, and parents to create a cohesive support system for the student.
Passionate about fostering academic, social, and emotional growth in students. Ms. Johanna Lopez is a rare Learning Specialist who is also a nationally certified school psychologist.
She holds an Ed.S in School Psychology from Florida International University, and a B.S from the University of Miami.
Ms. Lopez spent seven years as the Associate Site Director of Breakthrough Miami’s Palmer Trinity and Carrollton School sites, a program that provides motivated middle-school students from underserved communities with the tools they need to achieve their most ambitious goals in life. After completing her degree in School Psychology, Ms. Lopez moved on to the University of Florida’s Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics Clinic where she spent two years as a school psychologist working closely with students, parents, and staff across various age groups, ranging from Pre-K to college students. Her expertise and dedication have been instrumental in ensuring the holistic development of students. Beyond her professional endeavors, Johanna finds joy in volunteering with Autism on the Seas, a cause close to her heart. During her leisure time, she loves traveling, photography, and salsa dancing.
Resources
Family Resource Center
Find information to help you support children who are struggling with mental health, behavior or learning challenges.
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization serving people affected by ADHD.
ADDitude Magazine ADHD Resources & Links
Here, the editors of ADDitude have hand-picked the web’s best resources for information about ADHD and its related conditions.
National Association for Gifted Children
Resources for the parents of gifted children.
Learning Disabilities Association of America
Learning Disabilities/ADHD Information Resources.
