Student Support Services
	The department of Student Support Services (SSS) supports students at the Agnes Irwin School in grades PreK-12 in social, emotional and academic areas. The department also consults with teachers and parents in order to help the school achieve that part of the mission statement which says that we will "foster the personal growth of girls and young women." While a rigorous academic education is an invaluable commodity in life, the emotional intelligence fostered by the Student Support Services team is equally predictive of future happiness and success. Academics The SSS Learning Specialist offers curriculum support by offering a variety of workshops, visiting classrooms to speak about various topics, and helping students with their studies. Faculty consult with the Learning Specialist to discuss strategies to improve the learning of all students. SSS works with students individually or in groups, counsels parents looking for ways to optimize their daughter's learning at home, and works with faculty to provide the strongest possible educational environment.  Emotional To address students' emotional needs, Student Support Services provides short-term individual counseling to students, leads classroom groups, consults with faculty, and makes referrals for evaluation and intervention as needed. Staff members work closely with administration and teachers to address any emotional issues that may be interfering with a student’s academic progress. With the implementation of courses, such as Let's Care, Transitions, and Courage to Be Me, the Student Support Services Team addresses concerns such as bullying and how to deal with difficult social settings. We have also established the Inside/Outside program for 6th grade students, which targets body-esteem issues during a time of great social/emotional change in a girl's development. Health By working in cooperation with the physical education department, Student Support Services assesses the overlap between the health curriculum and our work. In the Transitions course, for instance, students have the opportunity to learn about and discuss a range of topics, including friendship and communication, alcohol and drug use, peer pressure, relationships and sexuality, diversity and tolerance. Student Support Services Sponsored Clubs PALS is a group of Upper School students who are trained to be mentors and group facilitators. They offer support to Lower and Middle School students, and the main focus is the development of connections to each other and their community. PALS can help navigate challenges and foster friendships by listening and sharing common experiences. In addition, these students are occasionally called upon to facilitate group discussions. Psychology Club: Members of this student club have a shared interest in psychology as a social and behavioral science. This club serves as a resource to its members, by giving them access to documentaries and films, as well as to articles and books. Parents It is our belief that by supporting parents as they help navigate their daughters through an increasingly complex world, that we, as a Student Support Services Team, are ultimately supporting our students. To that end, the SSS Team offers a series of workshops for parents and students throughout the year, which tackle issues ranging from the academic to the social/emotional.