“Each Belongs” Celebrating 40 Years of Inclusion The Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board

Jackie Bajus Superintendent of Education. Special Education Les Galambos Principal of Programs: Special Education

“Each Belongs” The Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board’s philosophy for 40 years. 3

“Each Belongs” The Philosophy of the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board is to meet the needs of all children and to develop the fullness of humanity in a Catholic Community. All students, regardless of special talents or challenging needs can grow and they can grow best by attending their neighbourhood schools, along with their brothers and sisters. Every child with challenging needs requires a sense of belonging; every child needs reasonable and realistic success and every child requires concern for his or her dignity as a person. The child is not served by sympathy or sentimentality. Exceptional pupils share with their fellow pupils the responsibility to demonstrate acceptable behaviour and to strive for total growth and development. It is the responsibility of each individual who instructs children to foster growth. No handicap, however severe, no learning deficit, however persistent, should discourage our efforts. No special gift is to be neglected. All human and material resources must be used to meet the needs of the pupil. Provision of programs and services in our schools is governed by principles of inclusion, normalization and personalization. 4

A bit of history…in Ontario The 60’s…”those were the days”… but not for everyone. Before and after 1980 (Bill 82) 5

The Rose Quartz Warrior Award Jim Hansen receiving the Rose Quartz Warrior award, Oct. 31, The only School Board in the world to be recognized for having an fully Inclusive system. 6

Each Belongs “pioneering work, leadership and achievements of the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board, sustained and developed over the past decades, by the board, its staff and students.” Jack Pierpoint, Marsha Forrest Centre 7

Each Belongs All children attend their neighbourhood school with their brothers, sisters and friends. 8

Each Belongs In the woodworking class... 9

Each Belongs In the Kindergarten class... 10

Each Belongs In the English class... 11

Each Belongs In the gym class... With their friends 12

Each Belongs In the Social Studies class... working hard...with their schoolmates... 13

Each Belongs By learning new skills... 14

Each Belongs By playing with friends in a safe environment... 15

Each Belongs Work experience One of our sr. students working at a local business. 16

Each Belongs Working at the local multiplex cinema. After the school day or after the school year… 17

Each Belongs At the local office supply store… 18

Each Belongs “some day we will be so integrated, so inclusive, so normal… Until then, I intend to be moved by the presence of a child with a disability in a normal, caring loving environment.” – Jim Hansen 19

40 Years of “Each Belongs” because of “People” Personnel – Our staff Parents – Parents of our students Partnerships – With a variety of community agencies 20

40 Years of “Each Belongs” because of “Policies” “Each Belongs” – Our board philosophy The Ministry of Education’s “Policy for Equity and Inclusive Education” The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act requirements. Student Success Learning for All K-12 21

40 Years of “Each Belongs” because of “Programs” Accommodations and modifications – Altering curriculum rather than altering student Age appropriate classroom programs, settings “Community Experience” program “Circle of Friends” 22

40 Years of Inclusion because of “Places” Our inviting and welcoming schools – Families …not factories – Safe, accommodating, accessible,attractive – Schools should represent the community 23

Assistive Technology has proven to be a great benefit to many students. The use of Assistive Technology allows all students to participate in the curriculum and “levels the playing field”. 24

Accessing the curriculum in a grade 3 A document reader, laptop, and a switch allow Savanna to access the curriculum. Of course, support from a knowledgeable educational assistant is invaluable. 25

Michael uses a laser pointer to control the laptop A secondary school student with equipment funded through S.E.A. (Ministry of Education) 26

A Secondary G.L.E. (General Learning Essentials) Class Secondary students using text to speech, word prediction software. 27

28 Students exempted in grade 3 (no A.T.) now in grade 6 (with A.T.)

21 students in Grade 3 (no A.T.) 29

Same students in grade 6 (with A.T.) 30

In Conclusion… “Inclusion” in a school system can happen. – We are not better, not more virtuous, than anyone else. 31

In Conclusion… School systems need to work, collaborate with their community in order to make this happen. – But then all good things are the result of working together. 32

In Conclusion… Schools systems need the right people, the right programs, the right policies and the right places, but we can work on these. – Don’t let “perfect” be the enemy the of “good”. 33

And Finally… If something is worth doing… It’s worth doing!! 34