Tutorial Program

At Hillside School’s Wick Tutorial Center, students gain valuable support in key academic areas. Tutorials are offered in Executive Function, Math, Foundations of Language, and Social Skills. The small tutorial class size of two to four students enables the learning specialists to tailor their approach to the individual’s unique strengths and challenges. Tutorials are offered during the student’s flex periods, ensuring that the students do not miss critical work in their core classes. The learning specialists collaborate with classroom teachers to integrate skills and topics from the core curriculum into tutorial sessions. The use of multi- sensory techniques and differentiated instruction gives each student the best opportunity to optimize their chances for success. These key elements of the Tutorial Center reflect Hillside's commitment to serving the needs of diverse learners.

Executive Function

The EXECUTIVE FUNCTION TUTORIAL (EF) supports students with aspects of organization, planning, time management, impulse control, working memory, self-monitoring and reflection. Learning Specialists modify the curriculum to the needs of the individual student, based on their strengths, goals and assignments in their core classes. Specific skills will be addressed through a multi-tiered approach, ranging from one-on-one guidance and support with projects, to explicit instruction in supportive strategies. This tutorial meets for two sessions per week.

Math

During the MATH TUTORIAL (M) the students follow a syllabus that either parallels or enhances the topics covered in the classroom. It may be necessary to revisit earlier topics to review these concepts in order to fully comprehend classroom work. It may also be appropriate to prepare students ahead of time for new work that will be introduced in class.

Foundations of Language

FOUNDATIONS OF LANGUAGE (FOL ) is an intensive reading and writing tutorial that meets four times per week in place of a foreign language or during flex periods. Students are assessed at the start of the program and their lessons are designed in conjunction with identified areas of growth. Learning Specialists provide students with a variety of interventions in order to increase reading and writing skills at their instructional level. Pace is modified as needed and classes are adapted to support specific strategy and skill development.

Social Skills

The SOCIAL SKILLS TUTORIAL (SS) focuses on the development of appropriate social skills, through reflection, awareness and group interactions. This tutorial aims to assist students in the development of a deeper understanding of social relations and social communication. Students will go beyond simply naming and learning the social skills. Rather, they will be encouraged to gain a better understanding of how the social world works and apply specific skills in differing contexts. This tutorial meets once a week.