Our counseling services support and promote the emotional, social and academic growth of all elementary students at ASH. We believe in being proactive to ensure that every child learns in a safe, healthy and supportive environment.

We provide support in a variety of ways by:

• Implementing behavior modification programs, using conflict mediation, providing crisis intervention, and offering individual or small group counseling for support or skill building
• Consulting with teachers, staff and parents regarding the developmental needs of students
• Implementing grade specific guidance lessons
• Collaborating with teachers, parents, administrators and other educators to discuss, design and implement specific interventions based upon the student’s needs
• Administering intake screenings with all new students and their families

Preschool and Transition Kindergarten students for whom English is an additional language are immersed in English within the regular classroom because the dynamic, language-rich environment of these two programs provides exactly the types of experiences that are needed for children to learn language in a natural way. The classroom teachers are knowledgeable in the use of instructional strategies that support language learning. The EAL teacher monitors the students’ progress and provides additional support when necessary.

Before starting school, an EAL teacher assesses the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills of students in Kindergarten to 4th grade for whom English is an additional language. Beginning students who have very limited skills in English work with the EAL teacher regularly. Students with intermediate skills in English receive support at their individual levels as needed, either in the EAL classroom or in the regular classroom.

In addition, all EAL students in Kindergarten to 4th grade receive small-group support from the EAL teacher during the Foreign-Language period every other day. Supportive instructional strategies foster language learning in a warm and caring environment. EAL classes are student-centered and designed to meet the specific learning needs of the students. Students learn English by learning about the topics being taught in their regular classrooms, which helps them to succeed with the grade-level material.

A multi-criteria approach is used to determine if students are ready to exit from the EAL program to join the Dutch classes during the Foreign Language period. Both the classroom and EAL teachers carefully observe the students and record evidence of success in the four skill areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Exit from the EAL program is recommended when students are able to participate fully in the differentiated classroom program. Students are able to join the Dutch classes at the beginning of the first three quarters of the school year. Exited students continue to be monitored for their progress in English and may receive EAL support when needed.

Students who need extra support with any part of their academic experience may work with our Learning Support teachers. The Learning Support teachers work in consultation with classroom and special area teachers to tailor the school program and learning environment according to students’ needs. They may also work with students alone or in small groups in or out of the classroom.

The Learning Support teachers responsible for the development and implementation of accommodations and modifications and the use of data to track and guide student progress. They also serve as a resource for teachers providing instructional best practices and insights related to learning disabilities.

In collaboration with the elementary school classroom teachers and other support specialists, the Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) works both in and out of the classroom, individually with a student, or with a group to identify and help children with language development and communication issues.

The SLP evaluates and addresses:

• Oral, written, and receptive language
• Articulation and speech-motor skills
• Fluency
• Listening skills
• Auditory processing and memory

Enrichment gives elementary school students in grades 3 and 4 the opportunity and encouragement to pursue their interest(s) in a focused and self-determined way and to stretch and challenge themselves to do their best work. Through brainstorming, planning units of study, creating enrichment activities and co-teaching, the Enrichment Coordinator in consultation with classroom and special area teachers, ensures that students' advanced academic abilities are addressed. Thus, at any given point throughout the school year, students may work independently or in small groups on various enrichment projects that complement their grade level curriculum and allow them to discover and build upon their own unique strengths and interests.

Private Language Lessons Some parents in the ASH community organize after-school language lessons to meet specific cultural, linguistic, historical, and geographic needs. Generally, native Danish, Finnish, French, Greek, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, and Swedish lessons are offered one afternoon a week. Contact the Facilities Coordinator in the Facilities and Transportation Office for more information.

Tutoring We might recommend tutoring for students who face academic and organizational challenges. Our Counselor maintains a list of tutors who specialize in many academic areas. The American School of The Hague only helps with finding the tutor; parents make arrangements with the tutor and pay for private sessions. Teachers work closely with tutors to provide feedback and clarification about assignments.