Our school is organized around a multi-aged philosophy which allows students to have a two-year relationship with a teacher in a learning community. Our school community is supportive of students both inside and beyond the classroom, and through referral to our student learning team, referrals can be made to services such as a community health nurse, speech language pathologist, mental health counselor, behaviour strategists, psychologists, physical therapist and occupational therapist.
School Philosophy
Ranchlands School has embraced a multi-aged organization within our classroom structure. This model allows us to actively accommodate and adjust to changing student needs with the support of a team of teachers dedicated to ensuring learning for every child. This model support increased professional collaboration and strong student-teacher-parent relationships through greater continuity year to year. It also enhances the connection of students within the learning community across grade levels.
Our school has Start Smart Stay Safe (S4) which has meaningful ties to the Circle of Courage model mentioned above.The Start Smart Stay Safe Children and Families Project is a collaborative initiative between the Calgary Police Service, the Calgary Board of Education, the Calgary Catholic School District, and Mount Royal University’s Centre for Child Well-Being. The goal of this initiative is to help strengthen children, families and communities, and in the long-term, decrease victimization and youth involvement in criminal activities. The S4 components are: Significance – Success – Self-Awareness – Service.
Start Smart, Stay Safe (S4)
Ranchlands School is proud to work with the Calgary Police Service and Mount Royal University’s Centre for Child Well-Being to develop skills, tools and strategies that will enhance life-long learning. S4 is rooted in the belief that children who are aware of their personal strengths and relationships will become more resilient and better able to navigate challenging situations. Check out the family section of the website for awesome activities, videos and book lists to do with your child. http://startsmartstaysafe.ca/s4-your-family/
Homework Policy
- Division I – Grades 1 to 3: The classroom teacher may formally assign Home Reading. Parents can also encourage home reading. We recommend that all families practice math thinking through math games or counting activities for about 10–15 minutes a day.
- Division II – Grades 4 to 6: Individual teachers will make parents aware of requirements about homework. Student homework assignments should be about 20–30 minutes. If no specific homework is given, children should read or play games that require mathematical thinking and calculations such as card games like cribbage or chess.
Teachers will not provide assignments to students who will be missing school due to a vacation. Rather, students will be asked to keep a journal of their trip, and will be encouraged to read every day while away.
Paced Learning Program
The goal of the Paced Learning Program (PLP) is to provide instruction and learning opportunities over a sustained period, for students who have been identified with a Mild/Moderate Cognitive Disability across Division II through IV. Curriculum modifications and instructional accommodations will be implemented based on the individual student’s assessed strengths and needs including consideration of age, adaptive functioning, social skills, and developmental appropriateness. Curriculum modifications include an emphasis on basic literacy, numeracy, daily living, communication, and problem solving skills at the elementary level. Typically PLP classes have a ratio of 12:2 with the second adult being an Education Assistant. At our school we have chosen to place a second teacher into this space to allow more differentiation for student learning.
Further Information
Parents interested in more detailed information can go to the CBE Exceptional & Special Needs webpage.
General Information about Special Education and the PLP Program
The Learning Team: A Handbook for Parents of Children with Special Needs
Complex Learning Needs Student Transportation Guide
