1. Overview

Special Needs Class:  (detailed version .doc)

      The Special Needs Class is a unique setting for children with exceptional disabilities such as Down’s Syndrome, Williams’s Syndrome and mild Cerebral Palsy. These children are given a balance of integration in a regular class setting and specific teaching of reading and writing in their own classroom.

      This program is funded outside of the school budget. Parents, extended families, churches and special needs drives provide the necessary income to fund the program.

Learning Resource Program:  (detailed version .doc)

      The Learning Resource (L.R.) Program (grades K-4) may have several functions. The children involved are withdrawn from their classroom for the amount of time necessary to work on the areas of difficulty. Classroom modifications are outlined so that the student will have success at his/her ability level. Other suggestions on the Individual Education Plans may focus on the remediation of learning problems which stem from perceptual difficulties, either visual or auditory. The L.R. program may also provide a supportive role to the classroom teacher in Grade 5 - 8. In some situations, a specific skill is taught to a multi-grade group or specific class lessons are reinforced.

Discovery Program: (detailed version .doc)

      Education Therapy utilizes a variety of academic and perceptual techniques to address the students’ areas of weakness and develop efficient, accurate thinking. As perceptual and thinking skills improve, students are then able to learn on their own without the aid of tutoring or modifications. They are free to use all their abilities to the fullest. The goal of educational therapy is to equip students to succeed in the classroom and in life as independent learners.

Enrichment:  (detailed version .doc)      

      Enrichment can be delivered most easily in the regular classroom through curriculum compacting. Grade 5 - 8 teachers are modifying or streamlining the regular curriculum to provide time for appropriate enrichment or acceleration activities.

2. Resource Program Enrollment Procedures

Below you will find the normal procedures for how a student is enrolled in any area of the resource program:

1. The classroom teacher, parents and/or principal may initiate a request for a referral to the special education/ resource teacher. Conferences with the classroom teacher, parent and resource teacher should be frequent.
2. The classroom teacher fills out a checklist obtained from the Learning Resource teacher as soon as a learning problem is suspected.
3.  The resource and classroom teachers determine whether the student requires further in-school testing before entering the Resource Program.
4. The classroom teacher continues to conference with the parents.
5. Parents are encouraged to read books or listen to tapes about learning disabilities. For example, Suzanne Stevens’ book, the videos by Richard Lavoie, and various audio-cassettes. A list may be available from the resource teachers.
6. The parents ensure that a physical examination by a medical doctor is completed. Family medical doctor may suggest a pediatrician for a more thorough assessment. Specific testing for auditory and visual perceptual processing must also be completed
7. The Learning Resource teacher obtains a signed consent form from the parents before in-school testing takes place.
8. Following the testing, the Learning Resource teacher arranges a meeting with the classroom teacher and parents to discuss the results and recommendations.
9. Further testing by an outside agency may be requested at this point as approved by principal. There is a fee for this assessment.
10. In-school conference with parents, classroom teacher, resource teachers, and principal will be arranged to discuss the testing results and to discuss how to meet the needs of the child.