Learning Support Services

The Government of Alberta has moved from Setting the Direction to Action on Inclusion. Within Alberta the goal of an inclusive education system is to provide all students with the most appropriate learning environments and opportunities for them to best achieve their potential. The Government of Alberta has identified important factors we need to take into consideration when shifting to an inclusive education system:

• Identifying what success looks like for each student
• Deciding what students need to be successful
• Identifying what services are available and who is providing them
• Providing supports through cross-government services
• Measuring success for all in traditional and new ways

Hello and welcome back to another school year! My name is Christine Oviatt. I am an Elementary Liaison Counsellor (sometimes also referred to as a Teacher Counsellor) in our district, and my time will be shared between Park Meadows and Agnes Davidson this year. I have been teaching for over fifteen years, and I completed my Master of Counselling degree through the University of Lethbridge. I am excited about this year to be continuing with these school communities as an Elementary Liaison Counsellor and for the opportunity to work with students and staff in this capacity in our district.

I hope the summer was a safe, restful holiday for all. The start of a new year may result in mixed feelings, such as excitement or worries, for students and parents. These types of feelings are normal for this time of year and can occur when we experience change in our lives. Some strategies for managing back to school worries include: focus on the positives, look after the basics (such as sleep and nutrition), pay attention to your own behaviour by modelling comfort and confidence, and encourage your children to share their thoughts and feelings. 

If you are interested in a great resource for managing back-to-school worries, this is a useful website: https://www.anxietybc.com/parenting/helping-your-child-cope-back-school-anxiety

Following Lethbridge School District 51’s Program Services Model for counselling, I will work with the CARE Team (Making Connections Worker and FNMI School Liaison) and administrative team to provide service to all students through universal programs delivered in the classroom, targeted programs for small groups, and individual assistance to students who are referred for additional support. Each service level aims to promote knowledge and skills for children and families to build on their strengths and address challenges. I welcome your questions, and the most convenient way to reach me is through email (christine.oviatt@lethsd.ab.ca) or through my district cell phone at 403-394-6838. Please include a time and phone number that is best for me to contact you.

At École Agnes Davidson School, our counselling program is based on the philosophy that guidance and counselling is available for all students.  The program reflects and supports the transition from a traditional, reactive counselling approach to a more comprehensive approach involving all school staff, home, and community.  The scope of the program includes responsive services and individual student planning but also includes developmental guidance instruction and school/community support.  It recognizes and supports opportunities for proactive and preventive programs and approaches, through delivery of universal social-emotional programs (classroom lessons co-taught with the teacher and counsellor).  It is based on the belief that each individual is unique, that programs must focus on the developmental needs of students, teachers, staff, parents and the larger school community and must be flexible enough to respond to changing needs.

The goal of ESL programming is to provide students with planned systematic instruction and support that will enable them to speak the English language fluently, further their education and become productive and contributing members of Albertan and Canadian society.

Registration - All registrations must come through Michelle Loxton at the Education Centre

ESL Contact - All schools have a designated ESL contact, an intake process and an assessment ard reporting process. Please contact Catherine Thorsen, our school ESL contact, for more information.

The Kindergarten to Grade 12 English as a Second Language Proficiency Benchmarks provides the foundation for developing a common understanding of English language proficiency levels and ESL programming needs across the province. The benchmarks provide descriptions of the English language abilities that students typically demonstrate at each of five proficiency levels.

More information about English as a Second Language is available at:http://education.alberta.ca/teachers/program/esl.aspx

The purpose of Kindergarten is to provide learning experiences that are developmentally appropriate in order to meet the diverse needs of children and promote a positive attitude toward lifelong learning. A child whose developmental needs have been met is more likely to grow into a self-reliant, responsible, caring and contributing member of society. Funding is provided for the child to attend Kindergarten for 475 hours in one year.

More Information can be found at: http://education.alberta.ca/parents/ecs.aspx

Please find attached some links to important tools to help your Kindergerten child better succeed.

http://humanservices.alberta.ca/family-community/talk-box.html

http://humanservices.alberta.ca/family-community/15576.html

The purpose of the Learning Team is to assist students in acquiring the skills, knowledge, behaviours and attitudes necessary for success. It assists teachers to develop strategies to meet the specific needs of a student.  

The LearningTeam is comprised of the School Administration Team, the Parent(s),  the Referring Teacher, the Learning Support Teacher and as needed the District School Psychologist, the Counselor, and other Outside Agencies.

Parent(s) of students referred will be contacted to meet with the Learning Team to discuss concern(s) and arrive at some mutual solutions.

The Spring Clothing exchange will take place on Monday May 29 at Park Meadows and Mike Mountain Horse schools from 3:30 – 7:30. If you are cleaning out closets and drawers during the Easter break we’d love to have your gently used, clean clothing. We need clothes for all ages, men and women, teens, children, and babies. You can drop off the clothing at either school the week before, so May 22 – 26. If you have an hour or two to volunteer we need help setting up the clothes on the tables on Friday May 26. This year, Park Meadows school gym is available in the afternoon from noon until 4:00 ish. Please contact Christine Bishoff at 403-317-0521 if you would like to volunteer. Refreshments will be provided. Thank you for your donations and your time.

Making Connections,

Christine Bishoff

Christine.bishoff@lethsd.ab.ca

Onsite: Tuesdays and Wednesdays

The goal of Making Connections is to provide early intervention, prevention and health promotion to the children and families all elementary schools. We believe that by building the capacity of staff, students and families, by supporting children and families in making meaningful connections to school, and by assisting parents in accessing support, we can ensure that all students have the opportunity to achieve success. Making Connections Workers are committed to collaboration to ensure that appropriate assistance is provided for children and families.

Family Support programs complement existing services, build networks and linkages and advocates for policies, services, and systems that support families' abilities to raise healthy children.

Precision Reading at Agnes Davidson

Developed by Dr. Rick Freeze, Precision Reading is a daily reading program designed to help improve reading comprehension, fluency and word recognition for students with below grade level reading achievement.

The program incorporates repeated readings of passages (up to ten readings of each passage), with word practice of words that are unknown to the student. The key to success for this program is to work with students on a daily basis.

The program has seen great success in improved student reading since its implementation in 2013.

If you are interested in volunteering or would like to implement Precision Reading at home with your child, please contact the learning support teachers Mrs. Leggat or Mme. Van Ree at 403-328-5153.

For more information on Precision Reading, please visit the Precision Reading Website at http://www.precisionreading.com/