The Connections Program is for District School Board students in grades 6-8 who require specific support in literacy, numeracy and the Expanded Core Curriculum. The Connections program runs one week per month. W. Ross Macdonald staff connect with the student’s Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) and their home school staff to determine goals for the student each of the weeks the Connection program is running.
While participating in the Connections Program, students will participate in our dormitory and school programming. Students participating will be in a classroom environment with no more than eight students and get intensive supports for their specific needs. In school, students will work with Specialist Teachers of the Blind, qualified instructors in Orientation and Mobility, Independent Living Skills, Braille (if appropriate), technology, music and accessible physical education. Where appropriate, assessments will be conducted in literacy, numeracy, oral comprehension, orientation and mobility, independent living skills, Braille, and technology.
After school we have a comprehensive dormitory experience for students outside of the Brantford community. Qualified, caring and experienced counselors create and maintain an exciting and inclusive home environment. After school programs allow each student to further develop their learning skills with qualified instructors. It is a safe and supportive space to explore independence and practice social and self advocacy skills with visually impaired peers. Students can participate in a variety of recreational clubs and social activities which can occur on campus or within the community such as games night, sewing, spa nights, cooking, music, art, dance fit, goal ball, swimming, hiking and outdoor exploration, tandem biking, going to the movies, eating off campus, visiting local coffee houses, etc.
Requirements for Admission:
- Student must be in grade 6-8
- Students benefits from the Expanded Core Curriculum
- IEP states blind/low vision
- Previous year cards, IEPs, O&M reports, behavior/safety reports, medical information, any psych-ed information, OT, PT, SLP
- Registration for the program needs to be approved by WRMS admin AND the home school team
- Completion of the registration package in full
Contact Laurie Moore for more information.