Specialized Supports
Overview
Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) believes in the inclusion of all children and students in a way that maximizes their learning potential and fosters their sense of belonging to the school community and our larger society. Inclusion is an approach, not a place—a values-based approach to accepting responsibility for all children and students.
Successful inclusion involves:
- a set of deeply held beliefs and values that encompass a sense of community and the fact that all children and students belong to the community and that all children and students can learn;
- effective teaching and learning for all learners;
- a commitment to professional learning on the part of teachers and support staff;
- a commitment to teamwork and a willingness to share expertise and learn from one another;
- a collaborative approach with families where they have the opportunities and support they need to help their children be successful learners and to contribute to decision-making about their child’s education;
- thoughtful and intentional planning for academic and social development opportunities for all children and students; and
- a school culture and environment where everyone belongs and everyone learns together.
Our Goals:
In Inclusive Learning, we:
- Support the implementation of EIPS' Three-Year Education Plan by promoting growth and success of all students, working to enhance high-quality learning and working environments, and enhancing public education through effective engagement, partnerships and communication.
- Promote a shared vision of an inclusive education system that values and supports the diverse needs of all learners. We offer a range of learning environments for students where they may be supported in a general classroom setting in their community school or in a specialized system program.
- Work collaboratively with schools to provide support, resources and services to ensure the success of all students.
- Build understanding of the diversity among learners with all stakeholders.
- Offer a range of services to schools, students and families, ensuring schools and staff members have the knowledge, skills and support needed to meet the needs of diverse learners.
- Ensure EIPS' learning environments, resources and programming options are designed with universal access in mind and address the continuum of supports and services.
- Set high expectations for all students, with a focus on literacy and numeracy in all classrooms.
Our Services:
- Assistive Technology Team (ATT)
- Attendance issues support and assistance with the Attendance Board
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) support
- Coordination of services for students with complex needs
- Counselling Services coordination and support
- Crisis Response Team support
- Early literacy support
- English Language Learning support (shared support with Learning Supports and literacy consultants as needed)
- Family School Liaison Workers (FSLW) support in selected rural schools
- Formal assessments for students
- Foster care intake assistance
- Inclusive Learning consultants assigned to all schools
- Instructional Support Plan (ISP) training and staff support
- Regional Collaborative Service Delivery (RCSD) low incidence team liaison/coordination/support for LIT staff, regional manager—vision, hearing loss, deafness, brailling services
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) training for staff
- Occupational Therapists
- Positive Behaviour Supports
- Professional learning opportunities related to inclusive learning
- Registered psychologists networking and support
- School-linked team meetings with school and RCSD partners
- Speech Language Pathologists/Assistants
- Success in School plans support and assistance
- System program classrooms
- System program referrals, placement and support
- Transportation assistance for students with special needs
- Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) support to schools