Student Support Services

At Washington Borough School District, we use the New Jersey Tiered System of Supports (NJTSS) to help all students succeed. This system provides different levels of support for academic, behavioral, and social/emotional needs.

Our Three-Tier Approach:

Tier 1: Universal Support (All Students): 

• High-quality classroom instruction with differentiated teaching methods
• School-wide positive behavior expectations and reinforcement 
• Regular social-emotional learning lessons in all classrooms
•  Screening assessments to identify students who may need extra help

Tier 2: Targeted Support (Some Students): 

• Small group instruction for reading, writing, or math (2-3 times per week)
• Behavior check-in/check-out systems with a designated staff member
• Social skills groups led by school counselors 
• Progress monitoring to track improvement

Tier 3: Intensive Support (Few Students):

• Daily one-on-one or very small group instruction
• Individualized behavior intervention plans 
• Counseling services 
• Collaboration with external specialists or agencies when needed 
• Frequent progress monitoring and plan adjustments

How It Works:

• Teachers regularly assess all students' progress.
• If a student needs extra help, we start with Tier 2 support.
• If more help is needed, we move to Tier 3.
• Parents are informed and involved at every step.
• We adjust support based on each student's progress.

Our goal is to provide the right level of support at the right time, ensuring every student can reach their full potential. We encourage parents to contact their child's teacher or the school counselor with any questions about their child's support.

Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS)

NJTSS builds upon the foundation of Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS), providing schools with a structured approach to addressing the academic, behavioral, health, enrichment, and social/emotional needs of all students. Through collaborative problem-solving and data-driven decision-making, I&RS teams work to identify and implement effective interventions to support student success.

Family and Community Engagement

Central to the success of NJTSS is the active involvement of families and the broader community in supporting student learning and well-being. By fostering strong partnerships between schools, families, and community organizations, we ensure that students receive the comprehensive support they need to thrive.

In the Washington Borough School District, we are committed to providing a holistic approach to student support services through the implementation of NJTSS. By prioritizing the academic, behavioral, and social/emotional needs of all students and fostering a culture of collaboration and inclusion, we empower every student to reach their full potential and succeed in school and beyond.