Campbell Children’s School update
Our school is the education partner of Grandview Kids. We are a Section 68 school funded through the Ministry of Education, which means we are located within a Children’s Treatment Centre. This unique early intervention program integrates the Ontario curriculum with each child’s individual therapeutic goals.
The school team works closely with the therapeutic team ensuring that goals are achievable and supported in the small class placement. Individual strategies, equipment and technology are put in place before the student transitions to their home school after a one-year placement.
In 2022-23, our school continued to grow in an effort to reduce our program waitlist. We focused on literacy and assistive technology, further embedding evidence-informed practices into our approach to support students with physical, communication and developmental needs.
Continue to read below for more updates from Campbell’s 2022-23 fiscal year.
Sincerely,
Janet Harper
Principal
Campbell Children’s School
Our 2022-23 achievements
Focusing on literacy
In 2022, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released its Right to Read inquiry report, calling for a change in Ontario’s approach to early reading. At Campbell Children’s School, we have embraced and adapted our program to align with the OHRC’s Right to Read report and are consulting with experts in our community to help guide us through this transition. In response to our students’ needs, our program is focusing on an evidence-based approach to literacy, implementing structured and explicit instruction, as well as building on phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension skills. This approach to early literacy is proven to teach most students to read words accurately and effectively, and can provide further instructions or interventions for students in need of additional support. We will continue to dedicate professional development to our staff to implement these new learning strategies.
Implementing assistive technology
Using technology makes learning more engaging and fun for all students. However, we recognize that assistive technology is absolutely necessary for many students to be able to communicate and engage with the curriculum. The staff at our school is skilled at implementing assistive technology to enable all students to participate fully alongside their peers.
Students with complex access due to physical needs often use “switches” to work and communicate. Students can press a switch with their hand, elbow or even head to communicate, access a computer or use a switch-adapted toy. This year, our school was able to expand the use of assistive technology throughout Durham Region with the “Switch It Up” resource borrowing program. Families and educators can borrow technology from our inventory to use at home or school to further support and engage their child or student.
