Student Support Services
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What is the role of support staff in the school?

Change is a challenge for most of us. It seems the moment we seem to get things 'right' something goes and changes on us forcing us to adapt or be swept away. The picture above of rushing water reminds us of both the power and beauty of change.
Your children will never change as much as they will during these elementary school years. They grow from that initial separation at the kindergarten door into 'tweens' who are reading, writing, socializing and entering the world of independence.
​As they change, we must grow along with them.  We are here to support your children through these changes and time of rapid development. We are also here to provide guidance and tools to our staff and to you as parents and caregivers. 

How can the psychologist or social worker help?

All children will face challenges whether they be social, emotional or academic in nature. We work with families to create a network of support for teachers, families and students. We are not here to eliminate challenges. If we removed all obstacles in life we would be robbing our children of an opportunity to learn and develop their own skill set to handle life's adversities. 
Change is an inevitable part of life. Children are often more resilient then we think. Here in Hampton Bays Elementary School we are committed to fostering resiliency and helping children develop into skilled learners who care about themselves and others.
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What kind of support do children typically need?

Academic Support

Hampton Bays offers a variety of specialized reading and math programs on each grade level. Students can often receive small group instruction with their peers of a similar skill level. Teachers track their students' progress through a variety of methods. Your child may have more than one teacher throughout the day. Your child's homeroom teacher or Core teacher is the best source of information. Your teacher knows how to contact the support staff for help. Parents/caregivers can also contact us directly.

Emotional Support

We offer a wide range of emotional support from working with teachers and families to working directly with students individually to working with children in groups. The school can provide short-term crisis intervention when needed as well. We have a data base for referrals specific to Suffolk county at our disposal which can be accessed based on your families health care. At this age most interventions involve family support. When providing short-term services and school and family interventions we do so with compassion and confidentiality. 

Social Support 

As children develop some may need more guidance than others in learning the social skills needed to initiate and maintain friendships. The school offers many extra curricula activities such as sports and enrichment which are local and either low cost or free. The support staff may know of local programs in the area that best suit your child's specific needs.

Often times the support staff may offer suggestions to your child's teacher to foster positive peer relations.  When social skill development interferes with learning a social skill or friendship groups for students might be needed.