This Connections Program will be located within the mainstream school building. The purpose of this program is to try to give students a course alternative as a supportive step prior to looking at the option of an off-site alternate school. This Connections program will value and incorporate outside agency and community partners and will work closely with partnerships to offer appropriate support for the youth working within this program. Students will enter this program by a referral from the School-Based Team to determine suitability for this program.
PHILOSOPHY
The Connections Program philosophy includes the following:
ATTENDANCE
The goal for this program is to have 80% attendance; however, flexibility will be given on a case-by-case basis. Strategies to help increase attendance include:
STUDENT FILES AND REPORTING
The SBRT for this program will be the case managers for these students. The SBRT will be supporting Ministry Designation documentation or working towards a Ministry designation and for writing an IEP that addresses student needs and areas of strength.
ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES
This Connections Program is fluid, thus allowing a student to enter the program at any time throughout the school year.
TEACHING APPROACH
This Connections Program will be available for both Junior and Senior Students. It will offer paper-based courses focused on the new core competencies, therefore being very individual-based. The students within this program can continue with their mainstream courses or electives but can use this Connections Program as a home base or check-in. This program offers different teaching approaches and organizations to reflect the increased independence of different aged students.
DEVELOPING COMMUNITY
Many programs develop a sense of community and belonging by incorporating group activities, celebrating students and their successes. This Connections Program will include many opportunities for group/community activities. These include:
Students and their successes will be celebrated by:
ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES
Enrichment programs are fundamental to student success. This Connection Program will have a huge diversity of activities incorporated into schedules but will be specific to each student.
These may include:
STAFFING
In the Connections Program, a qualified SBRT will be the teacher/case manager of this program. The District Behaviour Specialist will work in conjunction with the SBRT/Case Manager. District EA’s will be utilized as required. There will also be additional SD No.22 staff that may be involved within this program, NOYFSS worker, Educational Assistant, Psychologists, Occupational or Physiotherapist for consultations, if necessary. The amount of involvement from these staff will be on a student by student need. In addition, there may be involvement from outside agency or community members. Their involvement may be utilized as a whole group learning opportunity or case by case, depending on the needs.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Each student will be working on their own programs, which will have a flexible schedule
CONNECTIONS PROGRAM – SD No.22 June 2021
source: https://sd22.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/Connections-Program-Outline-June-2021.pdf