Holy Cross Catholic
Secondary School
Special Education
‘Withdrawal’Resource Assistance
at
Holy Cross
Special Education
Department
The Holy Cross Placement Model
- Regular Class with Withdrawal Assistance
Students remain in regular classes, and only use the Resource Rooms (117 or 113) if they feel the need or their teacher so directs them.
How it works
- Students with an I.E.P. are offered resource assistance in a number of different ways:
In the Resource Room (Rm 117 or Rm 113) –
- Provides an alternate, quiet location for tests/quizzes and work on assignments
- Working in Resource is often directed by the classroom teacher
- Students can also request to work in Resource (developing self-advocacy skills)
- Students are expected to sign in upon arrival
- Tests and quizzes remain in Resource on completion and are returned to the teacher by Special Education staff
- Students return to class with a ‘Green’ hall pass
In Regular classrooms – Classroom teacher, Special Education Resource Teacher (SERT), Educational Assistant (E.A.) or Peer Tutor supportcan–
- Offer support individually or in small groups
- Encourage, prompt and motivate students to pay attention in class, complete class work and take their own copies of notes
- Provide reading and writing (scribe) assistance when necessary
- Assist the classroom teacher in providing supplementary copies of notes, assignments or reviews
- Encourage students to use their SEA laptops during class time
SEA Laptops and Equipment
- Classroom teachers, SERT’s and EA’s actively encourage the use of this equipment in the classroom on a daily basis
- When not in use laptops are stored in Rm 117 or Rm 136
- A monthly sign out sheet is available for students with a laptop to record daily, overnight or weekend use
- SEA Printers are placed in various classrooms to enable students to print, scan into Kurzweil and photocopy notes if required during class time
- A Kurzweil version of student textbooks can be loaded on a SEA laptop upon request
- SEA training in the use of software and equipment is provided as per the SEA claim during the school day, 8:30am – 2:30pm.
- Teachers and attendance are notified of the student’s absence from class. Course work and/or homework missed during training are passed along to the student
- Parents and teachers are invited and welcome to attend training days
Final Exams, Literacy Test (OSSLT) and Math Assessment (EQAO)
- All regularly used accommodations will be offered (eg. alternate, quiet location, extra time, use of assistive technology or word processor and scribe)
- Students will be allowed to use their own SEA laptop for exams, assessments or quizzes, under close supervision
- Students will be required to discuss their accommodations and location for writing, with both their teachers and parents
- Students must complete an Exam Accommodation Form before exams (develops self-advocacy skills)
- Written parental permission is required for a student to write exams in the gym or OSSLT and EQAO with their class
- Exams will be scanned for those using Kurzweil
- CD audio version of OSSLT and EQAO can be provided if required
- A Full credit course to help develop learning, study and organisational skills.
- Course offers academic support and tracking for student’s other 3 courses
- Students have the opportunity to develop and become familiar in the use of Assistive Technology software
GLE is not an automatic substitution for a French credit. A substitution is determined by the High School Principal or V.P. and depends in-part upon the student’s level of French taken at Elementary school.
Special Education Resource
Staff members
Include:
Marie Gavan Knox
Head of Department
Anne Poels
Special Education Resource Teacher
Marie Hulse
Special Education Resource Teacher
Sherry Alcorn
Laura Craigen
Carol Giddy
June Hanna
Angela Ireland
Deb Myers
Barb Storring
Lorie Wright
Educational Assistants