120 Harvest Moon Drive, Bolton, Ontario, L7E 2W1
Phone: (905) 857-7582
Fax: (905) 857-9353
Principal: A. D’Agostino
Vice Principal: V. Viola
September 2015
Dear Parents/Guardians,
It has been a very busy and exciting first days in the Special
Education Resource (SERC) class here at St. Nicholas
school. I’d like to extend a big warm welcome to both our
new and returning students. I would also like to take this
opportunity to not only thank everyone for their continued
support, but to also share some of the activities and programming that we have begun to
review with those returning and introduce to those new to the SERC classroom.
On a typical day, students will meet and take attendance with their regular classroom
teachers, and once they are settled, gather in our SERC classroom. The program will run
from 9:15-10:55 a.m. and 1:00-1:50 p.m. The students are integrated into their regular class
and take part in all other subjects along with their peers for the rest of the day. Our
classroom is located in room #206.
In this 3 year Special Education Class program for students typically in grades 4-6, Students
work intensely with the Teacher and a small group of 8 students. Using a ‘responsive classroom
approach’ they are encouraged to cooperate, work together, and make appropriate choices as
they work on specific skills and strategies to build on their strengths and address their needs.
Programming is connected to curriculum expectations specifically in Literacy and Numeracy as
outlined in their Individual Education Plan (IEP)
During our Numeracy blocks, we will
take part in the 3-part lesson strategy. This may begin with an
activity or game to help activate what students know. Then a
question or challenge is posed and the students are given the
opportunity to work on it in pairs. Following this, we share the
work and consolidate their understanding, focusing on what
they can do and what they need to work on. Exit tickets are a
way to check in, identify what resonates with the students, and
help plan next steps . Homework sheets and questions will not
be sent home, but opportunities for students to share what they
have learned will be presented through the Bag It program.
During our Literacy blocks, students are engaged in
activities such as: Independent, Shared, and Guided
Reading and Writing. Some of the other activities we
will be exploring together are Working with words/word
play, poetry, In the News, and various Media and Oral:
speaking and Listening activities. Students will also
take part in rotating learning stations where they will
have the opportunity to choose activities such as
Listening and responding to texts, practice use of
assistive technology, as well as take part in cooperative language and math based games to name a
few.
Incentives/Rewards
It is always important to ‘catch students doing something good’. In order to help motivate as well
as recognize students for their achievements and successes, we have been using Vite Bucks. This
reward system entails students earning ‘play money’ of various dollar amounts. At the end of each
month, students then use the money earned to purchase items from my ‘Teacher Store’ ( various
dollar store items, games, activities and peanut free edible treats). The students have really taken to the
incentive program which not only acts as a motivator, but also provides practice in numeracy skills
as they count out their dollar amounts, add and subtract. If you have any questions or concerns, or
would like to donate items to the ‘Teacher Store’ please feel free to connect with me at the school
and I‘d be more than happy to chat with you.
BAG IT! Home program
The BAG It! program will involve your child choosing 1 math game/activity as well as 1 book /activity a week. These two
activities are to be chosen on a Tuesday and returned the following Tuesday. Please note, that this is not meant to be
cumbersome or cause any undue stress. Rather, the activities are to be used as a means to practice skills as well as share a
bit about what we have been doing in the classroom.
Agendas
Students are asked to arrive with their agenda each morning and will be returned at the end of the
afternoon SERC session. Please be sure to check it each night as notes, reading updates, and other
information will be sent via your child’s agenda book.
Ask me about
As we move forward through the school year, look for our SERC newsletter “Ask Me About It”.
Information about units of study, activities and ideas you could try at home to help consolidate
learning or further explore concepts will be shared.
Portfolios
Throughout each term, students will be collecting some of their evaluative as well as best work pieces to be stored in
individual portfolios. These portfolios will then be shared with parents/guardians at each reporting period. Please note: As
the student’s will be in charge of leading our conferences and sharing their portfolios, it is important that they attend the
conferences. Please make arrangements ahead of time so that they may be able to do so. Further information regarding
times and days will be sent to you at a later date.
If there are any questions or concerns over the course of the school year, please feel free to let me know by calling the
school at (905) 857-7582 or by writing a note. I would be most happy to set aside time or schedule a meeting to talk with
you. Thank you for your support and looking forward to working together with you throughout the school year.
Partners in Education,
Mrs. Ilda Balanzin-Vite
SERC/SERT – OCT