You Are Here:
  1. Home
  2. Emily Follensbee School
  3. Teaching & Learning
  4. Program, Focus & Approach

Program, Focus & Approach

Students who attend Emily Follensbee School present with complex severe disabilities. Students aged 2 years 8 months to 13-years-old may attend the school.  Adolescents are transitioned to a suitable secondary program. Any interested parent is welcome to call the school and request a school tour.

Student Profile

The students at Emily Follensbee School present with multiple, complex learning needs including those with:

  • Cognitive disabilities 
  • Physical disabilities 
  • Sensory impairments 
  • Medical/health needs 
  • Augmentative/alternate communication needs

See our How to Register page for more information for eligibility into Emily Follensbee School.

Therapeutic Supports

Therapeutic supports are provided by our SSIL (Student Supports for Inclusive Learning) Team, learn more on our Student Services page. 

Academics

Student programming is personalized to each student’s ability and need. The school program focus includes: sensory stimulation/awareness, maintenance of physical status, communication, daily living skills, socialization, readiness
concepts and emergent literacy.

Individual Program Plans (IPP)

An IPP is a written commitment of intent by the IPP team. It guides your child’s focused programming. It prioritizes the learning needs for your child and acknowledges both strengths and areas of need.The IPP is used in combination with the Specialized Classes Report Card to provide a record of student growth and progress. It is reviewed on an ongoing basis as well as formally three times per year. Parents provide input into the IPP through:

  • Completing the Parent Planning Worksheet 
  • Participation in Initial Planning Conferences
  • Participation in Parent-Teacher Conferences

Technology

Students have access to assistive devices including a variety of switches, environmental controls, a range of software from cause-effect programs to language development and literacy/numeracy programs and communication equipment including voice-output devices.

Students with Medical Needs

The school contracts Calgary Health Region - Home Care to provide support for children with specific medical needs. This service is provided by Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). Students who receive LPN support at the school must first be assessed by a Home Care Coordinator.

Services may include G-tube feeds, administration of medications, monitoring seizures that require medical intervention, and respiratory support including suctioning and administration of oxygen. 

Topics

{{vm.page.Topics}}

Links

Quick Links

Resources

Article Picture

Video

open video dialog
Last modified on

Diverse Learning Needs

The CBE provides appropriate programming for students with diverse learning needs in all of our community schools. In some cases, students may be referred to our specialized classes and/or unique school settings to meet their needs. We provide programming at various sites to meet the specialized needs of some students with:

  • Autism Spectrum, Cognitive/Developmental Disabilities, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum
  • Blind and Visually Impaired
  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH)
  • Giftedness 
  • Gifted and Talented Education
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Mental Health and Wellness (social/emotional/behavioural challenges) 
  • Physical and Medical Disabilities
​For more information visit the Diverse Learning Needs page​ on the CBE website. 
​​​

​​Middle Years at the CBE

Middle years learning refers to education offered to students between the ages of 10-15. These years are critical in keeping our students on the path to high school completion and their career futures. Keys for student success include: participating in hands-on, purposeful and relevant learning; creating positive relationships with peers, teachers and other adults; and being actively involved in the community and feeling supported by family, businesses and other organizations that surround them.

Learn more about our students in their middle years, including how their learning will change and how you can support your child, visit the CBE website.​

​​​​Exploring Career Choices

For Grades 5 to 9 at the CBE, we offer Career & Technology Foundations (CTF). This is an inquiry-based, hands-on program that focuses on essential skills common to occupational areas, and our students personalize their learning based on their interests and passions.​​​