A newsletter to support those in York Region who work with students with exceptional learning strengths & needs.
Content of this Newsletter
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National AccessAbility Week & Red Shirt Day
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Differentiated Access Robotics Expo (DARE)
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VOICE Dress Loud Day
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Orientation and Mobility Activity Days
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Children's Mental Health Awareness Week
Spotlighting Excellence, Achievement & Community
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Outdoor Education Collaboration
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Yes I Can Awards
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Communication Contest
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Learning Disabilities Association of York-Simcoe (LDAYS)
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High School Graduates Bursary
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Roy Cooper Memorial Scholarship
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Summer Reading Rocks
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Summer Jump Math
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Summer Social Skills Camp
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Monthly Highlights
National Accessibility Week and Red Shirt Day
National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) begins on the last Sunday in May and this year was recognized between May 26 - June 1, 2024. The theme for this year was "Forward Together: Accessibility and Inclusion for All".
National AccessAbility Week aims to:
- celebrate the valuable contributions and leadership of Canadians with disabilities
- highlight the work of individuals, organizations and communities who are removing barriers
- reflect on our ongoing efforts to become a better, more accessible, more disability inclusive Canada
YRDSB Student Services is committed to supporting our students with opportunities that allow them to learn and grow. Removing barriers to their learning looks different for different individuals. Some students may require assistive technology, while other students may require accommodations or modifications in their learning. Secondary students engaged in the Work Experience Program may require opportunities for hands-on learning in the workplace to develop essential skills needed for employment opportunities.
What is Red Shirt Day?
Red Shirt Day takes place on the Wednesday of National AccessAbility Week each year. This year, Red Shirt Day was on May 29, 2024 and is a day when people across Canada come together and wear red "to show their support for persons and families who are living with disabilities, to celebrate the achievements of people living with disabilities and to pledge their commitment to help create a fully accessible and inclusive society that honours and values the contributions of people of all abilities in all aspects of life in Canada." (Source: Easter Seals)
Differentiated Access Robotics Expo (DARE)
On April 24, the second annual YRDSB Differentiated Access Robotics Expo (DARE) was held at Bill Crothers Secondary Schools. Using a Sphero robot, YRDSB elementary and secondary students participated in various robotics and coding activities including: painting, mini-golf, programming, dance party, racing, and sports (soccer, bowling, swimming, wrestling & bowling).
VOICE Dress Loud Day
VOICE for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children celebrated Speech and Language Month with Dress Loud Day all May long. Students and staff were encouraged to wear their most colourful or loudest outfits to show “the world how wonderfully loud life can be… even for kids who are deaf and hard of hearing!” (Source: VOICE)
VOICE shared various resources for educators and families to help build education around the deaf and hard of hearing community. Check out their Dress Loud Day 2024 webpage to learn more about how to spread awareness and build education about what it means to be deaf and hard of hearing.
Celebrating Dress Loud Day at Stonehaven Elementary School
Orientation and Mobility Activity Days
On Wednesday, May 15, and Thursday, May 16, students participated in Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Activity Days hosted by the Blind/Low Vision & Deafblind Services O&M Specialists. Students reviewed, practiced, reinforced and learned essential O&M skills required to navigate environments in the school and in the community. On the first day of “Roam and Roll”, students, from Year 1 Kindergarten to Grade 5, were supported by older student mentors as they completed fun and challenging indoor and outdoor activities. On the second day of “Wayfinding Expedition,” students from Grades 6-12+, participated in an indoor mapping challenge using braille and tactile materials to plan a travel route to a destination in the community, and then traveled their chosen route in the afternoon. In addition to engaging in activities with peers, students practiced and learned essential leadership and collaboration skills!
Children's Mental Health Awareness Week
Every year in Ontario, the first week in May (May 6-10, 2024) is acknowledged as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week (CMHAW). This year, our YRDSB Mental Health team organized a variety of workshops and events for students to enhance their understanding of mental health and well-being. Additional information for educators and families about CMHAW was shared in the May Mental Health Newsletter, the 2024 CMHAW Toolkit as well as social media via the Mental Health YRDSB Twitter Account. Check out these resources and the June Mental Health Newsletter for tips, programs and resources for the summer.
Spotlighting Excellence, Achievement & Community
Outdoor Education Collaboration
Aurora’s Highview Public School is an amazing elementary school of over 440 students including five Community Classes for students with a variety of access needs. The grade two students at Highview P.S. attended the Outdoor Education field trip to Sibbald’s Point in May. The successful and inclusive trip was a result of coordinated teamwork and planning between the school, educators at the Outdoor Education Centre, and the physiotherapist that supports Highview P.S. The interdisciplinary team of educators and healthcare professionals worked together to consider variables to make the trip accessible for all pupils, including those who use mobility devices. For example, the outdoor education staff made a vertical surface of the map of Sibbald’s Point so that all students could access the visual.
The school principal and physiotherapist ensured that accessible equipment such as hippocampe chairs that can roll easily on the beach were readily available during the trip so that all students could participate in the learning activities. The educators at both the school and Outdoor Education Centre worked together to create accessible pathways to navigate the terrain and created differentiated programming to suit the needs of all learners. For example, Gabby Kolta explored the beach in the hippocampe, and investigated the features of Lake Simcoe by putting her hands into a shallow container of water from the Lake.
Yes I Can Awards
Every May, a joint CEC Yes I Can Awards Ceremony is held with the York Region District School Board, York Region Catholic District School Board and the Ontario Council for Exceptional Children. On May 29, students, families and staff came together to celebrate the accomplishments of over 200 students, while also recognizing educators, staff and parents who teach, support and inspire students with exceptionalities.
Congratulations to all the award recipients! On behalf on the York Region District School Board, we would like to congratulate the following YRDSB award recipients:
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Melanie Tietleman, Parent of the Year Award
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Christina Miller, Educational Assistant at H.G. Bernard P.S., Paraprofessional of the Year Award
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Alexia Casalinuovo, Teacher at Milliken Mills S.S., Teacher of the Year Award
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Rebecca Ferries, Physical/Occupational Therapist, Educational Leader of the Year Award
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Wendy Snow, Regional Intervention Support Worker, President's Award
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Natasha Giagnacovo, Dollar Tree (Green Lane), Business Award
Communication Competition
On Wednesday, March 29, the YRDSB Communication Competition was held in partnership with Optimist International for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. This yearly competition has been running for over 20 years. The objective of the competition was to create a speech centered around the theme of “Discovering the Optimism within Me.” Participants in the Junior and Senior Division created exemplary speeches sharing personal experiences of what optimism means to them and where they find optimism in their lives.
Congratulations to all of the participants of the YRDSB Communication Contest. Contestants from left to right (below): Emily Lam-Luong, Kiana Kachooie, Yeva Orzhekhovska, Saniyah Bhaloo, Emily Burman, Ryan Safieh, & Estelle Shields. Ted Simmonds from Optimist International is in the back.
Important Dates
Learning Disabilities Association of York-Simcoe (LDAYS)
High School Graduates Bursary
The LDAYS will be recognizing 6 York Region and/or Simcoe high school students each with a $1000 bursary. The candidate must have been accepted into a bachelor program at an accredited institution for the 2025 school year. Second, third and fourth-year students are welcome to apply provided they have proof of enrollment for the 2025 school year. The candidate must use the awarded money for tuition, books, or technology to attend college or university for the school year 2024-2025.
The deadline to apply is July 30th, 2024 at 3:00 pm *late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Application Form
Roy Cooper Memorial Scholarship
The Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario (LDAO) offers a $1,000 scholarship award in memory of Roy V. Cooper.This scholarship recognizes an Ontario high school student who has a primary diagnosis of a Learning Disability and will be attending a postsecondary institution during the 2024-2025 academic year. The student must be pursuing a bachelor of engineering or a bachelor of science in a physical sciences discipline. The deadline to apply is Friday, June 28, 2024 at 4:00 pm *late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Application Form
Summer Reading Rocks
Reading Rocks is an individualized reading intervention program designed by Brock University's Dr. John McNamara, who specializes in Learning Disabilities. This program is designed for students who are performing a minimum of one year behind in the area of literacy due to a diagnosed learning disability.
Dates: Availability is ongoing and will be scheduled on an individual basis.
For more information please contact Alicia at alicia.carter@ldays.org
Summer Jump Math
JUMP Math is a virtual program for students aged 8-14 who are performing a minimum of one year behind in the area of math due to a diagnosed, identified, or suspected math disability (dyscalculia). Participants work with a trained numeracy tutor to build foundational math skills and computational fluency. JUMP Math is a core classroom math program developed by Dr. John Mighton, OC.
Dates: Availability is ongoing and will be scheduled on an individual basis
For more information please contact Alicia at alicia.carter@ldays.org
Social Skills Summer Camp
LDAYS’ SUMMER CAMP is designed for Children with a Primary Diagnosis of Learning Disabilities and/or ADHD. In a safe, encouraging and positive environment, learning social skills has never been so much fun! Skills learned include introducing oneself, ways to make friends, responding to teasing, being a good winner and loser, dealing with emotions, problem solving, relaxations, and self-esteem. Activities include nature walks, arts and crafts, sports, and possibly outdoor swimming!
Maximum 12 children per session, with a caring staff to child ration of 1:6. **First time participants must provide a copy of child’s Psycho-educational Assessment**
Dates and Locations:
Richmond Hill
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July 8th-12th and
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July 22th-26th
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August 12th-16th
For information contact Tori Bekolay at 905-884-7933 ext.4 or email tori.bekolay@ldays.org
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) Meetings
The SEAC meets on the first Thursday of every month. All are welcome to attend and observe. For more information about SEAC and our SEAC members, please visit the SEAC webpage.
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September 5, 2024
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October 10, 2024
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November 7, 2024
