STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Supporting learners through individualized programming, services, and opportunities.

Programming, services, and delivery of support are provided for students who require specialized instruction, curriculum modifications and/or additional remediation through various environments and approaches which include speech and language services, social cognition groups and co-teaching, as well as more specialized instruction and opportunities in our STAR and VISTA program.  

Unified Art, Music, PE

CPS 0.5 credit Grade 11-12

Unified Electives are designed to be a unique and inclusive program within Physical Education, Art, and Music courses that fosters creativity, physical well-being, and collaborative skills for all students. This course promotes peer interaction and community building by integrating students with diverse abilities in every class. In addition to personal progress, students would be coached and assessed on the active assistance and support of their peers with special needs.  The design of this course integrates coaching from the teachers on how to work with, motivate, support, and assist individuals with a range of needs with integrity, kindness, and inclusive practices. In addition to the related curriculum, this course focuses on the development of empathy, teamwork, and leadership, as students learn to adapt their communication and approach to meet the individual needs of others. Through this inclusive model, every student, regardless of background or ability, experiences a sense of belonging and growth in a supportive environment.

Executive Functioning                                      

CPS 0.5-1 credit Grade 9-12

The Executive Functioning course is for those students who require specific skill instruction with planning and organization, time management, task completion and other organizational strategies.  The course will support students in further developing  goal setting, cognitive flexibility, study skills, self-checking and monitoring.   Assistive technology solutions will also be explored.

Internship in Special Education                 

CPS                  0.5 credits                Grades 11-12    

This course introduces students to the child education profession including how to develop hands-on methods and materials used in teaching students with physical and mental disabilities.  It is designed to increase understanding of the basic concepts of child development and the developmental characteristics of children with disabilities, (DSM 5 American Psychiatric Association) from the ages of 14-22 (grades 9-12, 18-22-year-old program), while taking into consideration each student’s individual needs.  This course is the foundation for planning appropriate activities for children based on their levels of understanding and the written IEPs (Individualized Education Program) that the family and teamwork on together to establish appropriate expectations for these students. The class offers the opportunity to study and work directly with a variety of developmental domains: social, emotional, cognitive/language, and physical. Through observation in academic classes, getting involved with community-based activities (like recycling, shopping for the food pantry in town, volunteering at different job sites), and social settings (different restaurants where they learn to order, pay for, and sit down and eat at), interns will be able to fulfill work outlined in the syllabus.

Goals and Objectives: Upon completion, students will be able to use knowledge of how students in the VISTA program differ in development and approaches to learning. They will be able to provide opportunities that support physical, social, emotional, language, and cognitive development, while promoting an appropriate level of independence.  They will be able to demonstrate basic methods of creating learning experiences using developmentally appropriate techniques, materials, and realistic expectations. They will be able to understand the social difficulties that our students face each year and what it takes to make friends and create positive relationships that will endure.