Board shares teaching strategies with parents

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board held an information session Oct. 26 designed to help parents learn more about how the board assists students with learning challenges.

"This evening was inspired by what the schools are doing," Rossella Bagnato, superintendent of school effectiveness stated.

"At Sudbury Catholic Schools, we believe in open and honest transparency, and we want our parents to know exactly how our board team works with their children and help them better understand how we can positively support them."

On hand throughout the event, entitled the “Evening of Learning and Sharing,” were Christina Raso, special education consultant for the board, Jennifer Connelly, assistive technology teacher, and Catia Temelini, one of the board's communicative disorders assistants.

Each speaker explained their role to the parents and described how their role assists the students in the classroom and school communities.

Rossella Bagnato also addressed the group and defined for them their two main goals.

"The first is to build relationships and develop the capacity of parents to help their children and achieve their goals," she said.

The second goal, Bagnato explained, is "that the board is embracing the strategy implemented by our schools to increase parent understanding of our programs, services and procedures.

“Whether students have learning disabilities, physical disabilities or other learning challenges, the special education staff at Sudbury Catholic strives to provide the maximum growth and development opportunities for every pupil, including the exceptional."

The team also took some time to demonstrate the assistive technology used in the classroom.

Parents were able to see what tools are being used, how they are being used, and to ask any questions they may have to better support their child. Resource material was available for the parents to review, discuss and take home after the session so that the parents could learn even more about the supports for the special education needs of their children.

For more information about special education at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, call 673-5620, or visit the board's website at www.sudburycatholicschools.ca.

Posted by Heidi Ulrichsen