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The goal of Student Services is to assist schools in meeting the diverse needs of students. It must also provide a wide range of complementary services. The focus of the department is to collaborate closely with Educational Services in order to support teachers in differentiated instruction and literacy initiatives.
Increased collaboration with Equipment Services on building access and modification issues received particular attention during this year of mergers. In order to better serve our special needs students entitled to technological supports, the department worked in partnership with the Department of Information Systems as well as the Purchasing Department. As a partner in the reorganization of health and social services our presence at a number of “table de concertation” both on and off island was required. Finally, a great deal of effort was deployed to enhance every schools’ adherence to the Peaceful Schools Initiative.
Student Success
Our Department’s role in supporting this initiative lies in helping staff members develop “effective instructional strategies” and understanding the importance of a positive learning environment and knowing how to implement both. To this end, a number of workshops were offered to Lester B. personnel during the year. Topics included were:
High schools were provided with documentation on drug prevention and anti-smoking.
Partners in Prevention prepared a comprehensive documentation package for parents.
Schools received support and resources to organize student and parent drug education events called Smart Choices- Working with a group of high school students.
It is the primary role of student services professionals to work directly with classroom teachers to provide individualized instruction for their students. It may bring the professionals in direct contact with the student for whom a plan is being developed. Observation is often the first step to understanding the child’s learning style and to recommend appropriate strategies. The special needs consultants bring this expertise to the classroom. At times, an in-depth assessment is required. Depending on the problem, this may involve the services of the school psychologist, speech and language pathologist or occupational therapist who will interact directly with the student in order to accomplish their goals. Their work guides the actions of the school team working in conjunction with student services professionals to improve success for the student. This collaboration is a mainstay of our practice.
The FSSTT team is an additional support for schools. At this time there are 15 elementary schools and 5 high schools that benefit from the program. At each of these schools, a Social Aide Technician works directly with students and school staff in a supportive role. Each school in the network is supported by a consultant who is attached to the FSSTT lead team. The school psychologist is also involved in this multidisciplinary model.
The Center for Excellence in Autism continued to provide support, resources, training and consultation to students and staff in LBPSB schools. Professionals associated with the center continue to build capacity in our school personnel. The center also fulfills the mandate as a Center of Excellence in the Inclusive Education Services for all Quebec English school boards.
Staff
Professional development is pivotal for Student Services in promoting professional growth and enabling all staff members to better meet the needs of the whole child. A number of workshops and networks were provided for and supported by staff members in the Student Services Department.
Peaceful Schools Initiative - Great inroads to high schools, as well as Place Cartier, were realized this year. Tool kits comprised of videos and reproducible materials were purchased for every high school. Receiving the tool kit was made conditional on an introductory meeting with the staff. This proved to be a highly effective technique leading to a number of school initiatives.
The Department of Student Services also meets on a monthly basis. The purpose of these meetings is to review our practices with a view to improving the quality of services offered in our schools. It is also important for Student Services professionals to share concerns expressed in their schools and to propose solutions to answer needs effectively. It is also an opportunity to invite guest speakers and enhance our expertise.
Joint Department meetings were held on two occasions regrouping the personnel from Student Services and Educational Services. These half day workshops focused on differentiated instruction.
The Lester B. Pearson – McGill Design Team continued to offer McGill courses in the Certificate in Inclusive Education at John Rennie High School, allowing LBPSB teachers, aides and other educators in our community to benefit from off-campus courses with LBPSB professionals as instructors. Three courses were offered and averaged 22 participants per session.
Physical Plant
The Student Services perspective on this area is to deal with social and psychological safety. The Peaceful Schools initiative addresses this objective as all of the components of the program strive to create and maintain a climate of safety in our schools by developing empathy in our students, by promoting values of respect between all school members and by developing problem solving skills in students so as to give them a sense of control over their life.
The Peaceful schools skills initiative provides schools with materials, supports them in developing assemblies, trains children and staff in peer mediation techniques and provides guidance for schools to become members of the League of Peaceful Schools.
The FSSTT team also contributes to the promotion of a safe environment particularly in working with and supporting students who are experiencing social and/or behavioural difficulties. Members of the team help the school staff understand the needs of the child as well as help maintain the conditions leading to successful integration.
Finally, in working collaboratively with teachers to help them better meet the needs of students in difficulty, Student Services personnel provide support to students for an enhanced learning environment.
Community Partnerships
Our most immediate partners are the parents of students that we teach. The multidisciplinary approach that is in place in each school allows us to communicate with parents and to work closely on the development of IEPs for students who require them. We are also trying to support parents of high school students by providing them with information sessions on topics that concern them. Our drug education consultants have supported high schools that wish to create effective prevention programs.
The Special Needs Advisory Committee provides a great opportunity for partnership. Last year a group of parents developed a booklet to support parents of special needs students by providing information on special needs services.
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