EST

In addition to Special Education Services, Ludlow Elementary School uses a variety of supports and services to help meet the needs of all children. These supports and services make up our Educational Support System (ESS). Ludlow Elementary School’s ESS is designed to help your child grow socially, academically, emotionally, and physically.

Our ESS is rooted in the belief that all children will learn that those closest to the child are most able to provide appropriate support, accommodations and/or special services. We support all children in reaching their potential.

Ludlow Elementary School is committed to helping every child achieve challenging standards and make the most of each day’s learning opportunities.

An important part of Ludlow Elementary School’s ESS is the Educational Support Team (EST).

The primary purposes of the EST is to assist classroom teachers and staff in developing a plan that will support a child in the educational program. The team is made up of school staff members.

The EST meets twice per month to talk about the children’s concerns. They identify support and services for individual children, help teachers to develop strategies for supporting individual children, develop plans to support each child in school, and evaluate what’s working, make changes, or close existing plans when appropriate

The EST maintains confidential contact with the referral source and teachers to follow the progress of each student served by the team.

When a child is referred to EST, the team meets to identify the concern and gather information with all team members. The team designs a plan that offers a variety of supports for the child and teacher.

How Can a Parent Use the EST?

If you notice your child is:

• Unhappy

• Angry

• Lonely

• Frustrated

• Struggling with academics

First talk with the classroom teacher. Together you will go over the concerns and decide the next steps. If either of you would like more help, we can refer to the EST for assistance.

What Supports Are There to Help Your Child?

Research shows that when children know their family and school are working together and care about them, they do better in school. Some supports can be offered at school while others might be right at home or in the community.

Academic supports can include:

• Speech & Language instruction

• Mentors

• Libraries (school and town)

• Title 1 Reading/Math instruction

• Extra teacher time

• Study time

• School book fair

• Small group instruction

• Special activities

• Summer enrichment program

• Artist in residence

• Quiet spaces for homework

The goal is to create students who are the happy, happy, healthy and successful citizens of today and tomorrow.