Student Support Services

JKCS is an inclusive school that recognizes the diversity that exists within God's children.

Our school is committed to providing a positive learning environment for children with exceptionalities. We strive to nurture the unique needs and talents of each child with exceptionalities. This occurs in different settings: individual or small group settings, sometimes in the regular classroom, and sometimes withdrawn from the classroom. We are committed to meeting the academic and social needs of each student to the best of our ability, so that each child may feel like an important, integral part of the classroom community.

The JKCS Literacy Support program teaches students using the Orton-Gillingham approach. The introduction of letters and sounds is systematic, following a comprehensive scope and sequence. Using explicit instruction, students practice phonological awareness, phonics, spelling, reading and writing skills. The lessons are repetitive to ensure the mastery of each skill before introducing a new concept. The students are assessed frequently and instruction is based on their results.

Students work individually or in small groups in the Student Support Services Room. The Literacy Support teacher works closely with the homeroom teacher to ensure consistency of curriculum expectations. As well, the Literacy Support teacher communicates regularly with the parents providing an update of the weekly lessons.

Specialized Services

Educational Assistant

Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapists (OT) work to enhance the student's ability to fully access and succeed in the learning environment. This might include working on handwriting or fine motor skills so the child can complete written assignments, or helping the child become better organized within the classroom (including work space in and around the desk).

Occupational Therapists also work with the teacher to modify the classroom and/or adapt learning materials as needed to better equip the student for success.

Speech and Language Pathologist

Intervention Program

Response to Intervention (RTI) is a process used by educators to help students who are struggling with a skill or lesson.

Every teacher will use interventions (a set of teaching procedures) with any student to help them succeed in the classroom. If a student is struggling, his or her teacher will use test scores and other measures of progress to choose a researched and proven intervention strategy suited to help the student learn. If a student does not respond to the initial interventions, the teacher will make a referral for the student to participate in an intervention program.

A student may be referred to receive group or individual specialized remedial instruction in reading or math. This is a supplementary program designed to develop and increase skills so the student experiences better outcomes and success in school. The student will work with an Intervention Specialist in the Student Support Services Centre up to a maximum of 4 periods per week.

Intervention Specialists have specialized training to provide small groups of individuals remedial instruction in reading or math. These specialists also work closely with teachers and parents.