Friday, February 24, 2017

Thursday, February 23, 2017

This week,  I attended a meeting that was focused on a very important TDSB special education initiative. Within the Board, students are offered different levels of support to achieve their learning goals. One such support is called the Home School Program. Usually students in the program are significantly lower than grade level in English and Math. Support is usually offered up to 50% of the day. This looks very different across the schools; namely the students are totally segregated into a classroom for language and math or integrated into a regular program with a special education teacher supporting in the classroom. 

Currently, the research is showing that students who are totally segregated are following behind their peers academically and socially, at the elementary and secondary level. Thus, the Board is engaging stakeholders in dialogue around remodeling the support and structures. 

We too offer a variety of supports to our students at LKS mostly through an integrative approach. That means that homeroom teachers provide the accommodations and modifications to the students' programs and the special education teachers provide additional support. Each year, we revamp student timetables based on the number of special education teachers and the needs of the students to best support learning. 

In addition to our two special education teachers, we also have one full-time special education assistant and one education assistant to support students across the whole school. We will be receiving our 2017-2018 staffing allocation in this area over the next two months and then make timetables accordingly. 

We also got our projected enrollment numbers for next year; namely 599. Down a bit from this year's actual enrollment of 621. We are also closed for Optional Attendance. This means that you must reside in our catchment area to attend the school. 

If you are moving out of the area and will not be with us in September, please tell the office and homeroom teacher as soon as possible as it will affect our planning. 

Thanks very much for your support. Have a great weekend. 

February 2017 
27-Ms. Younger and Ms. Olson to Outdoor Ed; Parent Council Meeting at 7:00 in the library 

March 2017
1-Toronto Argos Huddle Up Assembly 
2-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly 
3-Grade 6-8 Ski Trip 
6-Hockey Playoffs
7-Grade 6-8 Girls Matter Club at lunch 
13-17-March Break

April 2017
14-17 Good Friday/Easter Monday
22-Earth Day

May 2017
8-12-Children’s Mental Health Week
22-Victoria Day

June 2017
9-PA Day