Inclusive Education
Fort McMurray Catholic Schools values persons. Our first placement is inclusive, having children placed with their peers in their neighbourhood school. Working with the school team and parents, the appropriate level of approaches and supports are developed for each child that may include regular classroom placement, regular classroom placement with supports, partial classroom placement with pull out programming or a specialized division program.
Beliefs and Values
- Every individual is unique and has worth.
- Every individual has the right to live a life of dignity.
- Every individual should have the opportunity for self-determination to the extent of his/her own capabilities.
- Every individual must be provided with the opportunity to be educated in an environment that will promote his or her abilities as a full participating member of society.
Intervention/Supports Provided at all our Elementary Schools
- Literacy Intervention Programs
- Speech Language Pathologist
- Occupational Therapist
- Physical Therapist
- School Counsellors
- Classroom Support Teacher (CST)
Specialized Programs Offered
Fort McMurray Catholic Schools support success for every student in an inclusive classroom setting to the fullest extent possible. Children are provided opportunities to develop socially, emotionally, and cognitively in a supportive inclusive environment. However, the severity of a disability may require partial or full alternative placements to better meet the learning needs of some children. This placement should be considered as a last resort when other strategies and supports are proven to be ineffective in helping the child meet with success. Team meetings between home and school will take place for all decision making. Positive transition plans will be put into place upon placement approval from the Director of Inclusive Education. Please refer to each program for further details.
Vocational Education Programs (Grades 7 to 12)- Father Mercredi HS
How do I know this program is right for my child?
Vocational Education gives support to students who demonstrate cognitive disabilities and significant academic delays. Programming emphasizes development of literacy and numeracy skills, and the application of important academic, social, work and life skills in the classroom, school and community. It has a large component of small business ventures and work experience which are designed to facilitate independence post-graduation.
Students in the Vocational Education program are those who experience significant difficulty in a regular classroom due to any or all of the following: poor adaptive functioning and/or social skills, behavior and/or emotional needs, poor self-regulation skills, and significant academic delays. Appropriate documentation and testing is required before finalizing placement. Students most often meet Alberta Education eligibility criteria for severe disabilities. Registration and referrals into the program may be completed by the child’s school learning team and parents, but must be approved by the Directors of Inclusion.
How does this program work?
Students participate in programming to gain functional skills that enhance their quality of life. The teacher provides a consistent instructional program monitored by individual goals, set to increase each student’s development in eight competencies: critical thinking, collaboration, communication, managing information, problem solving, personal growth and wellbeing, cultural and global citizenship, creativity and innovation.
Activities in these competencies may include self-care/functional life skills (cooking, cleaning, shopping, and laundry), functional academics (reading and math groups, computer skills), social development (role plays, leisure skills, and social stories), physical activity (swim program, weight/cardio training, recreational sports), and vocational skills (resume preparation and work experience). Students are also integrated into mainstream option classes.
How is my child’s progress monitored and communicated?
Parent communication is an integral part of the program. Parents are encouraged to be actively involved in all aspects of their child’s program. Team Meetings are held 3-4 times per year to review jointly planned goals that are presented in a digital portfolio. Families are supported in transitioning their children to adult services by connecting them with Keyano College, Persons With Development Disabilities (PDD) and other community supports, as needed.
What is the benefit of this program?
The goal of Vocational Education is to provide the necessary tools and supports for students to achieve their highest degree of independence. Vocational Education fosters respect, compassion, perseverance and integrity in school, home and community. It is our philosophy as Catholics to value each person as God’s image and welcome all members of our community. We respect each person’s unique needs, strengths and path of development. The Spirit of Christ makes this a positive learning environment.
Independent Living Program- Father Beauregard (grades 1-6) Holy Trinity CHS (grades 7-12)
How do I know this program is right for my child?
This program is designed for students who display severe, complex and multi-dependent special needs. Qualifying students generally experience great difficulty functioning in the regular classroom. Appropriate documentation and testing is required before finalizing placement. Students must meet Alberta Education eligibility criteria for severe disabilities. Registration and referrals into the program may be completed by the child’s school learning team and parents, but must be approved by the Directors of Inclusion.
The program allows opportunities for inclusion: in the regular classroom, special school events, reverse inclusion (students from regular class visit the ILP class), and community outings.
Students participate in programming to gain functional skills that enhance their quality of life. A variety of activities are planned each week to enhance their learning. The teacher provides a consistent instructional program that includes daily routines, academics, and community experiences. Individual goals are included to increase each student’s development in the areas of critical thinking, collaboration, communication, managing information, problem solving, personal growth and wellbeing, cultural and global citizenship, creativity and innovation. Activities may include functional academics, art, physical activity, prevocational skills, community exposure, self-care skills, and functional life skills. Weekly leisure activities include a Swim Program at MacDonald Island and a second community outing to practice appropriate social skills and foster independence.
How is my child’s progress monitored and communicated?
Parent communication is an integral part of the program. Daily home-school communication procedures are set up with the teacher. Parents are encouraged to be actively involved in all aspects of their child’s program. Team Meetings are held 3-4 times per year to review jointly planned goals that are presented in a digital learning portfolio. Transportation is set up with the family based on the family and child’s needs.
What is the benefit of this program?
The goal of our Independent Living Program is to provide the necessary tools and supports for students to achieve their highest degree of independence. ILP fosters respect, compassion, perseverance and integrity in school, home and community.
The ILP programs provide a family of supports for students and parents. We celebrate birthdays, achievements, successes, and holidays. It is our philosophy as Catholics to value each person as God’s image and welcome all members of our community. We respect each person’s unique needs, strengths and path of development. The Spirit of Christ makes this a positive learning environment.