Supporting the journey back to school
With the return to school in September 2021, the challenge for educators everywhere was how best to support students as they transitioned back to in-person learning. TanenbaumCHAT has long prided itself on its whole-child philosophy and multidisciplinary approach to student support. This year, coupled with the joy and excitement of being back in the school building physically, was an awareness of the unique constellation of social, emotional and academic needs that some students might experience. As Principal Renee Cohen ’96 noted at the opening
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staff meeting: “We know that some of our kids may have a difficult time adjusting and may need some extra TLC and help to relearn concepts, test-taking strategies and practices, and other skills.”
Ramping up resources In particular, the school was also alert to Grade 9 and 10 students who had only ever experienced high school
during COVID-19 restrictions. Events like Grade 9 Orientation, Battle of the Nines, and a new Grade 10 Spirit Day played an important role in mitigating those challenges. To bolster resources, an additional guidance counsellor has joined the team; a social worker from JF&CS spends more than three days a week in school; and a nurse is on site full time.
