Inclusive Schooling

Inclusive schooling provides all students with learning opportunities, resources, and support appropriate to their diverse strengths and needs in classrooms with their peers. Students see themselves reflected in their curriculum, physical surroundings, and the broader environment, where diversity is honoured and everyone is respected. It aims for each student to become a self-directed and independent learner.

Yellowknife Catholic Schools (YCS) is committed to providing students with the best possible programming in the most appropriate setting. Each school gathers information on a student's strengths and challenges to develop an appropriate education program and determine the support required for success in that program.  

YCS follows the NT Inclusive Schooling Directive and programs according to what is best for the students as they move through the grades:  

Regular Education Program with Accommodations 
A regular program is determined by the learning outcomes articulated in the NWT curricula for a specific grade level. Accommodations will be added based on a student’s profile. 

Modified Education Program
A modified program is developed for students who are documented as working significantly above or below grade level in one or more subjects yet retain the learning outcomes articulated in NWT curricula. The curricula outcomes are selected from the working grade level and used to guide instruction for the Modified Program. The program is based on student strengths, needs, and interests and may include modified learning goals, instructional methods, and assessment procedures consistent with differentiated instruction principles.  A modified program is recorded in a Student Support Plan (SSP).

Individualized Education Program (IEP)
An IEP is a student-specific program outlined in an IEP. This is a comprehensive, written education plan that outlines the development of the student’s competencies (I CAN statement) and strategies, which are determined through a collaborative process driven by the student's strengths and needs. An IEP may or may not include learning outcomes articulated in the NWT curricula. A student on an IEP usually requires specific support, accommodations and a range of resources beyond those required by their peers.

A Menu of Student Supports 
Students attending YCS may be provided with a variety of support.  These supports may include: 

• Individualized instructional programming
• Social/Emotional support and resources
• Community-based counselling opportunities
• Literacy and numeracy support
• Assistive Technology

YCS Student Services Team
The Student Services team oversees coordinating resources and support for students and schools. Team members collaborate with parents, students, and school staff to coordinate the best support possible to enable each child to experience success in learning. Student Service's priority is ensuring meaningful and effective daily and year-to-year student transitions. 

Director of Student Services
The role of the Director of Student Services is to ensure that Yellowknife Catholic Schools is providing educational support that addresses the needs of all students. 
This will be done through the following main foci:

• Coordinating human resources in the area of Inclusive Schooling
• Ensuring accountability procedures and processes under the NT Inclusive Schooling directive and maintaining sound educational pedagogies.
• Interpreting diverse data and research for informed decision-making
• Creating solid partnerships within the community
• Pursuing extra funding sources available for student support Jordan’s Principle

Regional Inclusive School Coordinator (RISC)
The RISC assists school-based teams administering inclusive schooling programming by providing direct support to administrators and staff, providing support and advice to students and families, and assisting staff in accurately defining the goals and objectives for designated students. 

Program Support Teachers (PST)
PSTs are skilled teachers who support classroom teachers by collaborating and designing instructional strategies and support systems to meet students' needs. Problem-solving and information sharing about neurodiverse students help teachers provide programming for students. They work closely with the school principal to ensure the school-based support team is effective and follows district-inclusive schooling procedures. 

Social Emotional Coaches
Social-emotional coaches provide co-regulation and crisis management for students escalating or in emotional duress. The coaches offer explicit teaching and learning opportunities for students who need targeted social and emotional skills to achieve self-efficacy and regulation in school.   

Wellness Staff 
Wellness mentors provide individual and small group work on various social-emotional topics. They have the time flexibility to empower students to find solutions, peer mediate, and become aware of their strengths, talents, and relational abilities.  

Community Liaison Workers
The Community Liaison workers’ role is to support families by helping them navigate community resources and understand what supports are available in school. They work closely with some families to get their children to school and connect with community agencies to address specific challenges.

Classroom Assistants (CA) 
Assistants collaborate with classroom teachers to meet students' identified needs. Their role is to foster independence. Classroom assistants can be assigned to facilitate targeted programming interventions such as speech-language, personal care, self-regulation, assistive technology communication, and social-emotional skill development. 

Community Resources 
YCS District Student Services Team believes in solid family partnership, trust and creative problem-solving. Our district works in collaboration with community professionals: 

• Occupational Therapists
• Speech-Language Pathologists
• Physiotherapists
• Social Workers
• Educational Psychologists
• Pediatricians
• Non-profit NGOs and staff 

Community Child and Youth Counsellors (CYCC) 
Community child and youth counsellors provide therapeutic counselling for students when they visit schools. Students can access counselling through self-referrals and parent and/or staff referrals. 

Supports and Contact Lists:

• School-Based Support Teams & Wellness Contact List
• Yellowknife Mental Health & Community Wellness Supports