Intervention: ACES & I & RS
Academic Coaches Enhancing Skills (ACES) Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS)
The Swedesboro-Woolwich School District follows the Response to Intervention Model (RtI) to support students in a variety of areas beyond the scope of the classroom instruction. As part of RtI, each school includes an I&RS team consisting of teachers, administrators, guidance, and Child Study Team members. The goal of the team is to provide students with the necessary skills needed to promote learning growth towards grade level standards. The I&RS team supports students with both academic and behavioral needs, and hopes to forge positive relationships to create goals with students, teachers, and families.
For the academic piece, the ACES Program is rigorous in its recommendations for students who require additional academic support services, after classroom interventions have not been successful. Through the ACES Referral Procedure, teachers will be able to begin the process of tracking modified classroom intervention instruction, before referring students to ACES, eliminating or decreasing the loss of instructional time which may sometimes occur in a basic skills program.
If the student has been successful in ACES, he/she will be exited from the ACES program. If the student has not been successful, after all attempts to remediate academic issues in the classroom and through the ACES Program, the student will be referred by the I&RS Team for further intervention.
Working together, classroom teachers and ACES teachers should be able to bridge the gaps that may be preventing students from being as successful as they could be! If you have any questions concerning the ACES Program, please don’t hesitate to contact one of the ACES teachers.
The 2025-2026 ACES teachers and I&RS Chairs for each building are listed below. Please contact your child's specific ACES teacher for questions pertaining to the program.
Clifford I&RS Team: Linsley Robinson (I&RS Chair), Erin West, Chrissy D'Amelio, and Christina McClernan
ACES Teacher: Stacey Stewart
Stratton I&RS Team: Kelley Stingle (I&RS Chair), Amy Hay, Morgan Livill, Ryane Dougherty, and Tiffany Sciorillo
ACES Teachers: Kelley Stingle and Caroline Smith
Harker I&RS Team: Michele Garcia (I&RS Chair), Brielle Scott, Ellen Floyd, Debbie Rivera, Alayna Pasztalaniec, and Stephanie Shainline
ACES Teacher: Michele Garcia, Stephanie Shainline, and Lucy Casella
Hill I&RS Team: Kelly Pollitt (I&RS Chair), Rachel Ryman, Marissa Smith, and Katie Richer
ACES Teacher: Kelly Woronicak (ACES push in support with Katie Richer - ELA and Dan Owens - Math)
For more information regarding RtI, ACES, and I&RS please click any of the links below:
SWSD RtI Parent Handbook
SWSD Parent Compact Letter (Link was sent to parents via email)
State of NJ Tiered System of Supports Website
Enrichment & G & T
Students in Grades K-2, who are identified as intellectually gifted, are enriched within the classroom through curriculum differentiation. The aim is to remove the ceiling on what is learned and promote creativity and higher level cognitive skills. Such extended learning opportunities are designed to support individual learning needs and are identified and provided through collaboration between the classroom teacher and the building administrator. Classroom teachers will provide lessons to enrich the student's potential. Enrichment library, art, and music, are also provided for identified students in grades 1-2.
Students in Grades 3-6, who are identified as intellectually gifted, are enriched through a Gifted and Talented program. G&T programs run in conjunction with the six-day cycle (Days A-F) for the calendar year. G&T classes are usually held one to two times per week. Students who are selected to be in the G&T program will receive a letter by mid-September. Click HERE to see the G&T Selection Criteria and Score Distribution Matrix. In addition, if you would like more of an explanation as to how the percentile rankings are scored, please click HERE for an explanation and FAQs for families.
The G&T Program enhances the regular curriculum through special projects and/or activities based on the New Jersey Student Learning Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, 21st Century Life and Career Skills, and the National Gifted Program Standards of the National Association for Gifted Children. In addition, the program focuses on promoting a sense of Growth Mindset in all the students to build their independence and perseverance.
Students in the G&T program will be pulled 1-2 periods per week during their school's Comet Time period. This period is dedicated to interventions, enrichment, and Comet Cohorts. In addition, SOME of the G&T students in Grades 3-5 may also be invited to participate in our First Lego League or Math Competitions, which may involve after-school and weekend times. Students involved with the competitions will be contacted by the G&T teachers. Please be aware that all G&T students must maintain both academic and behavioral excellence in school. Failure to maintain classroom expectations may result in a program furlough or an exit from the program.
For more details regarding G&T, click HERE for the G&T Handbook.
In January 2020, the State of New Jersey passed a new law (CHAPTER 338) governing Gifted and Talented Education. To see the explanation and details behind this law, click HERE. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Office of Curriculum and Instruction.
The district policy can be found here.
Ideas/Blogs to Promote Enrichment in MATH
Math Viking- scroll down to look see project ideas
3P Learning- article with ideas
Ideas/Blogs to Promote Enrichment in ELA
Project Based Learning Activities:
MLL
What is the MLL program?
The Multi-Lingual Learner program is designed to improve English with reading, writing, speaking, and listening for MLLs.
How do I know if my child qualifies for the MLL program?
The English Language Learner program is offered to children whose native language is not English from grades K-6. When you register your child for school, you complete a home language survey. If your answers meet the criteria, you and your child will be contacted by district to evaluate your child’s proficiency in English. A teacher will interview and assess your child to determine if they should be placed in the English Language Learner program.
Who provides ELL services?
Ms. Christine Desrochers- Clifford School
Ms. Kylie Crompton- Stratton School
Ms. Haley Watson- Harker School
Ms. Ada Kreutzer- Hill School
Support Resources
Colorin Colorado! A Bilingual site for educators and families of English Language Learners.
Colorin Colorado!: Homework Tips for Parents
NJ Department of Education: https: Title III and ELLs
Spring 2024 ACCESS Testing Presentation
Advanced Math
Starting in the 2017-2018 School Year, Swedesboro-Woolwich School District, in response to staff, parent, and board of education feedback requesting more opportunities for our students excelling in math, introduced an Advanced Math course in grades 5-6.
Students are selected using the 2025-2026 Advanced Math Criteria and selection is finalized at the end of August. Families will receive a notification if their child has been placed in the Advanced Math setting.
Once placed, students will be working at a faster and more independent pace and they will be assessed on both their grade level standards and the above grade level standards. Pacing of this course will not be altered. Therefore, if a student's performance becomes a concern as a result of this placement, families and/or the district both retain the right to recommend movement to a general education math course.
At any point, families can reach out to their child's teacher and request their child NOT continue in the Advanced Math class. All questions regarding Math Placements in Grades 7 and above can be directed to Kingsway Middle School administration.
Any questions about the Advanced Math and Pre-Algebra Programs should be directed to your child's teacher, building principal, or the curriculum office.
Current Programs being utilized in Advanced Math Classes & Pre-Algebra