From time to time, and for a variety of reasons, a student may need additional support to be successful in the classroom. When this happens, we have many different strategies and programs that kick into gear.
Click on the following link to see how our various support structures work:
Tiers of Support at Rutland Elementary.pdfHow Kids Get Help at School.pdf
Below are more detalied explanantions of the various supports we provide.
What is a School Based Team?A School Based Team (SBT) is a group of school based personnel who work collaboratively with teachers and parents to best support their children/students in developing their academic and social/emotional skill set and by suggesting, providing, and implementing a variety supports and strategies.
Who is on the team?
- Principal and/or Vice Principal
- Learning Assistance Teacher (SBT chair)
- Classroom Teacher
On a case by case basis, the SBT may also include:
- School Counselor
- Speech Language Pathologist
- Resource Teacher
- Indigenous Advocate
- Outside community support (Pediatrician, Therapist etc.)
- District Student Support Services staff
What does the team do?
At the SBT meeting, we will discuss what is working well for your child, highlight areas of continued growth, review any background history and brainstorm ideas of possible supports to be put into action.
Upon the request of the referring teacher or parent, the SBT provides support through extended consultation on possible classroom strategies, and may become a central focus for case management, referrals and resource decisions. In most cases, The SBT will appoint a case manager, identify the need for additional services and/or initiate referrals to access other school, district, community or regional services. The school-based team can also initiate or facilitate inter-ministerial planning and service delivery.
LEARNING ASSISTANCE - Ms. Sinclair
Our Learning Assistance Teacher (LAT) works closely with classroom teachers to support students in reaching their learning potential in grades K-6. The LAT chairs and works as part of our School Based Team and is in close communication with parents, our Speech Language Pathologist, Principal and Counsellor. The type of support is dependent on the needs of the student, but most often designed to provide remediation and academic assistance to those students who are having significant difficulties in basic reading comprehension and fluency, writing skills, grammar, spelling, computation, problem solving, organization and study skills. However, the primary emphasis is on literacy and numeracy. The LAT provides classroom support and individual "pull out" support based on whatever is best for the learning needs of the student. Other services provided by the LAT include assessment, enrichment, the Primary Early Learning Profile (ELP), Tier 2 & 3 Literacy Support, and English as a Second Language (ESL).
Most students receiving Learning Assistance support from our LAT follow adapted programs of study, which are approved by their subject teachers. Instructional methods are determined by the varied and individual needs of the student’s learning style. Educational goals are set according to each student’s strengths within a Learning Plan or an Individual Education Plan (I.E.P.). Parents, students and staff participate in designing the I.E.P. Adapted subjects relate to learning outcomes in the Provincial Curriculum, but are taught using materials and methods best suited for the student’s learning style. For additional information, please contact Ms. Sinclair 765-9771 or by using our Staff Directory in the 'Contact Us' section on our website homepage.
COUNSELLING
Ms. Michele Wolfe
For information on the services our counselor provides, click here.
Contact Info:
Office: 250-870-5126
Email: michele.wolfe@sd23.bc.ca
Voicemail: 250-870-5000 and dialing extension 8572
RESOURCE TEACHER-SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS
Mrs. Leanne Vargo
For information on the services she provides, click here. To contact Mrs. Vargo, please contact her at 250-870-5126 or by email: leanne.vargo@sd23.bc.ca
SPEECH & LANGUAGE THERAPY
Mrs. Lindsay Skelton
For information on the services our counselor provides, click here. To contact Mrs.Hancock, please contact the office at 870-5126.
INDIGENOUS ADVOCATE
Ms. Jackie Garbitt
To contact Ms. Garbitt please contact the office at 870-5126 or by voicemail at 250-870-5000 (extension 4646).
To find out more about what services are available, click here.
For more information on the kinds of programs, the district we offer for students who need additional support, click here. 
