Within the JFKS Elementary School there is academic support available for all students. Depending on the individual situation students can receive remedial assistance in German, English and Math or participate in German/English or Math Help. Homework help is also available for certain grade levels.
In the High School there are some similar and other different academic supports in place. Please review each option thoroughly to determine the best fit your need. Some of the supports provided are contingent on the availability of a teacher within the desired department and their specific time schedule. If you feel that the already provided options do not quite suit what you are looking for please contact your Counselor.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Reading Lab
Reading Lab is a service only for English Mother-Tongue students. One full-time teacher and an assistant work in two different rooms within the Elementary School and take students who are referred by their teachers for the additional support. Literacy skills, such as reading fluency and comprehension, as well as developing writing skills can all be addressed within this service. The amount of time and the emphasis on different skills is dependent on an individual the students’ needs.
Leseladen
Leseladen is a support service only for German Mother-Tongue students. It is run by two staff members in rooms GR104 and GR105. German reading fluency, comprehension, as well as writing skills such as spelling and spelling strategies are all addressed. The amount of time, and specific instructional goals are assessed and designed for each individual student and their needs. Please note that this service is offered only on the recommendation of the homeroom teachers.
Math Lab
Math Lab is a support for students who are struggling with Math regardless of Mother Tongue designation. Referral to the Math Lab will be given by the individual teachers of students. Skills worked on will then be addressed by staff members in R241 and R242 respectively. Should it be needed, both Math Lab teachers are able to test for Math weaknesses beyond normal remediation using the HRT (Heidelberger Rechentest).
If a formal diagnosis of Dyscalculia exists the students are often mandated to Math Lab visits to help support them in their learning development. Hours that might be effected by this may include Religion, a part of Library, or parallel to in-class math instruction. To ease the experience for students, Math Lab instructors attempt to have groups of students in their classrooms rather than individual sessions.
For best communication the Math Lab instructor will provide updates at parent conference biannually. Progress reports are not awarded grades but written statements with individual details.
3rd and 4th Grade Homework Help w/ TEACHERS
There is a homework help program after school for grades 3 and 4, where a bilingual teacher is available to help the students complete their homework successfully.
5th and 6th Grade Homework Help w/ TEACHERS
Students with less severe academic needs have the opportunity to participate in English, German, or Math Help, two times per week. This remedial instruction is taught by one of the home room teachers during one of the elective instructional hours and one hour after school. It is meant for students needing short-term assistance to overcome a specific subject-related deficit. Participation and sign-up is completely voluntary.
HIGH SCHOOL
Remedial Language Support
Mother tongue language teachers are responsible for identifying students with reading and writing difficulties (or consulting with other teachers who have concerns about a student’s reading and writing) and referring them to a specially trained member of staff, or via the school counselors to outside services for more evaluation.
Limited remedial language support is offered contingent on available teacher hours; students and parents are urged to seek remedial services or learning therapy outside of school to support student success.
Math Lab
In 7th grade all students are assessed early in the school year and those whose skills are not on grade level must attend Math Lab which is taught by JFKS math teachers. Depending on teacher availability, teachers offer math support for other grades during lunch hour. The math department also offers extra math activities for gifted math students.
Homework Help
A homework help group is offered Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 15:00-15.45. Participation is by agreement with the supervising pedagogical assistant in the form of an attendance contract also signed by parents. The purpose of this group is to provide a structured homework setting; occasionally older students are available for subject help, depending on schedules. A new offering for study skills and organization support is planned and will be implemented soon.
