What is the Department of Exceptional Learners?
The Department of Exceptional Learners at Belzer Middle School serves students with special education needs. Almost all of our students receive services in the general education setting with additional supports. We believe that inclusive services allow all of our students to get the interventions they need while working towards grade-level standards.
Description:
Our Resource and Skills classes are designed for students who need more support with academics, emotional regulation, and/or executive functioning than our Language Arts and Math Intervention classes are able to provide. From organization and time management, to small-group academic intervention, students are able to get more intensive supports during the school day. Our Resource/Skills class for students on the Autism Spectrum embeds work with our Speech/Language Pathologist and our Occupational Therapist to work on skills like reciprocal communication and address sensory needs. This class takes the place of an elective.
Description:
Life Skills is a program for our students who are most impacted by their disabilities. With access to programs like Community Based Instruction, cooking labs, yoga, and the Swim program, our students work to gain independence, build communication skills, and develop fine and gross motor movements.
Description:
Our Functional Academics program serves a wide range of students who are moderately impacted by their disabilities. While many students are on a Certificate of Completion track, others attend core content classes with significant accommodations and modifications to the curriculum. All students in the Functional Academic program have classes the support transition to adulthood, and may include participation in cooking labs, early school-based work experiences, and other independent living activities.
Description:
Our Intensive Intervention program supports students who have emotional disabilities and behavioral needs. This program includes a Skills class, where students work on emotional regulation and executive functioning. While most students attend their core content classes with their general education peers (with support from our Intensive Intervention staff), there is flexibility for students who struggle in a typical classroom setting. Our Intensive Intervention team works closely with students, their family, and with outside service providers.
Description:
The Diagnostic Day Treatment Program (DDTP) is an intensive program with wrap-around therapeutic supports for students who are significantly impacted by mental health needs. Placement in this program is designed to be temporary (45-60 days), with the goal of providing students with the skills to function effectively in the general education or Intensive Intervention setting. Participation with Community Behavioral Health is a pre-requisite for this program.