School Committee Reviews Student Services in Westwood

Shortly after speaking about , the Westwood School Committee last Thursday delved into a discussion about student services in town. 

, gave an overview of where the district stands in terms of student services and students with disabilities.

“The thought was that it might be useful to do an overview of what is happening, what is new and what is changing,” said Hanscom.

School administrators, additionally, have been looking into university partnerships, notably with Leslie University, from which Westwood has received a proposal for three separate programs, Hanscom said. The collaboration is being looked at as a potential model to bring in staff and interns.

Meanwhile, the transitional points and the academic/life skills for students between ages 14 and 22, involves using new software for evaluation, programming and data collection, as well as investigating what they want to try and how it will make an impact. Students who stay in the student services program until 22 years of age will encounter aspects that are not so academic, such as job skills and travel.

“One of the wonderful things that happens as kids get older is they get more independent,” said Hanscom.

Hanscom added that there are creative ideas circulating at the preschool level in the areas of technology, morning and afternoon care, and linkages to high school and post-graduate life.

“We are investing heavily in technology,” said Hanscom. “For little children, technology could be a real game changer.”

Midde school-aged students, moreover, currently have support for those who need significant academic modification, behavioral supports and language supports.

For students at the high school level, Hanscom noted that high expectations are a dynamic. The next step, Hanscom said, is to build bridges between general education and special education.

School Committee member Josepha Jowdy expressed concern over the control of technology for certain students; Hanscom responded by saying that people with disabilities need to know the rules of the road concerning the internet, sometimes more than others.

Some students will also need assistance with supervised internships, job shadowing, volunteering and multiple opportunities for mentoring, Hanscom added.

The School Committee will meet again on Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m.