(905) 735-0700 240 Thorold Road West, Welland, ON L3C 3W2

Special Education

Welcome to Special Education at Welland Centennial Secondary School

"It is of utmost importance that we recognize and nurture all of the varied human intelligences and all of the combinations of intelligences. We are all so different, largely because we all have different combinations of intelligences. If we recognize this, I think we will have at least a better chance of dealing appropriately with the many problems we face in the world" (Gardner, 1983)

 

Special Education Resource Teachers

Darren Jackson (Program Lead)
Lisa Martino

​Special Education

A student’s needs can usually be met within the regular classroom program.  Accommodations may need to be planned to facilitate learning for some students. We encourage parent/guardian active involvement in our efforts to meet the educational needs of all students.

Many informal processes can be put in place to assist students.  Informal assessments can be completed by the classroom teacher and can include behavioural observations, teacher-made tests and samples of daily work.  If significant accommodations are required to assist  in reaching students’ academic potential, school staff may develop an Individual Education Plan.  Parents/guardians are involved in the plan’s development.  When parents/guardians have questions about their child’s program or progress, they are invited to contact the child’s classroom teacher.

What is an I.E.P. (Individual Education Plan)?

 As well as defining a student’s strengths and needs, an IEP;

  • explains how a student’s program has been accommodated (modified) and how a student will be evaluated;
  • is required for all exceptional students (a student whose behavioural, communication, intellectual, physical or multiple exceptionalities are such that he/she is considered to need special education programming);
  • is a working document and as such, revisions and updates are expected;
  • is a support document for the report card and will be placed in the student’s OSR (Ontario Student Record).

 The Special Education Resource Teacher (SERT) can:

         -        help with the assessment of learning needs

         -        provide special resources

         -        work directly with students

         -        support classroom teachers in programming

The District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) and the staff at Welland Centennial Secondary School believe that Special Education is a collaborative process that encompasses the supports, services, and strategies that provide the opportunities for each student to reach his/her full potential.