When kids have special needs, there’s a path to ‘Loving School’

This paid piece is sponsored by Children’s Home Society.

By Mike Groher, director of schools, Children’s Home Society of South Dakota

Sometimes a child has emotional and/or behavioral needs that challenge the most loving parent and capable school district. These needs also may impact significantly a child’s personal academic success, as well as the academic success of other students.

Loving School in Sioux Falls is an alternative that can help. As part of Children’s Home Society of South Dakota, the school’s mission is to help prevent, treat and heal trauma, and its vision is a world that stands up to trauma where all people are safe, healthy and resilient.

An approved special population program of the South Dakota Department of Education, Loving School serves students age 4 to 14 or pre-K to eighth grade year-round. This includes a day school for children from area districts and education for children in residential treatment at Children’s Home Society.

Each classroom at Loving School has a state-certified teacher and full-time teacher assistant, ensuring a classroom staff-to-student ratio of 1-to-6.

We specialize in meeting educational needs relating to childhood trauma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, reactive attachment disorder, abuse and neglect, anxiety disorder, aggression and parent-child challenges.

Classroom instruction aligns with South Dakota content standards, providing grade-level instruction as well as differentiated instruction — meeting the unique learning needs of each student. Our curriculum programs promote daily interactions that allow students to learn cooperatively and develop values such as cultural understanding, responsibility, respect, caring, fairness and helpfulness.

Loving School programming includes art, music, physical education and individualized reading instruction. Students are evaluated through classroom observations, work samples, skill-based assessments and file reviews. Teachers use NWEA MAP Growth assessments to measure achievement and quarterly growth in mathematics and reading.

Staff members create a master treatment plan for each student. Loving School provides individual, group and family therapy for students and families. The student’s treatment team meets quarterly to share progress and monitor goal-related growth.

A student does not need an individualized education plan to be enrolled in CHS schools. However, if a student has an IEP, the IEP is implemented and managed by school staff.  Occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech/language therapy services are provided in accordance with an individual’s IEP. In addition, all students have access to medical care and psychiatric services as needed.

Staff members at Loving School passionately strive to be the best educators we can be, advocating for kids and families to be the best versions of themselves. Together with families, school districts and state placement agencies, Loving School provides a safe and nurturing school environment focused on social, emotional and academic growth. Through compassionate care and building relationships, we encourage unity, hope and empowerment within our students and families. By helping children develop skills to be successful today, we equip them to be successful tomorrow — and to reach their full potential.

To learn more about Loving School in Sioux Falls or Owen School at Black Hills Children’s Home, click here.