A newsletter to support those in York Region who work with students with exceptional learning strengths & needs.
Content of this Newsletter
- Learning Disabilities Awareness Month
- Ignite Technology Grant
- World Mental Health Day
Spotlighting Excellence, Achievement & Community
- Camp Above and Beyond
- Work Experience - Building a Bright Future in the Fast-Food Industry
- Learning Disabilities Association of York-Simcoe
- Ontario Council for Exceptional Children
Monthly Highlights
Learning Disabilities Association of York-Simcoe (LDAYS)
Updates and Learning Disabilities Awareness Month
From the Learning Disabilities Association of York-Simcoe
As we start a new school year, LDAYS remains dedicated to providing programs, services, and events that support students with Learning Disabilities and/or ADHD, as well as their families. Over the summer months, we’ve been actively involved in outreach with various organizations and educational institutions, helping to raise awareness and share knowledge within the community. As we continue to offer social and academic services, resources, and engaging events, we’re excited to share more about what’s coming up!
If you are interested in enrolling into our programs please see the corresponding registration links and contact information below or feel free to email us at info@ldays.org or call us at 905-884-7933 for more information!
Are you interested in being an LDAYS newsletter subscriber? We send out a quarterly newsletter with all of our updates, important information, and upcoming programs, services, and events. If you’d like to stay in loop with us, sign up for our newsletter at our homepage and entering your email address at the bottom of the page, or connect with us at info@ldays.org or 905-884-7933 and let us know you’d like to subscribe!
Please see our upcoming events, programs and services under the Important Dates section below.
Important Updates
Learning Disability Awareness Month is in October.
During the month of October, our goal is to ensure we can help provide the resources and connections to get the aid you need and bring awareness and insight into what that means. Let’s come together to celebrate differences and advocate for the needs of those with learning disabilities. Contact us today to discover how we can work together to create a more inclusive environment.
In the spirit of LD awareness month, our team of Champions share their personal stories of success, their journeys to overcome obstacles, and speak on behalf of youth and their families to increase awareness and knowledge surrounding what it means to learn differently. We are also offering informative LD awareness and educational presentations to help deepen your knowledge and support our community. Interested in having a LDAYS speaker or champion at your school, office, or upcoming special event contact us at info@ldays.org.
LDAYS is also promoting LD Awareness Month through various platforms:
Youtube: LD Awareness Month - A Message from LDAYS Champions - In this short insightful clip, our champions share impactful messages to students and educators.
Podcast: LDAYS - Plugged In - Stay tuned for the launch of our next episode of "LDAYS Plugged-In" on Monday, October 7th! Our LDAYS Champions will share their personal experiences, actionable strategies, and ways to support Learning Disabilities Awareness Month.
Ignite Technology Grant
The Ignite Technology Grant is an opportunity for students and schools to host a club, activity and/or technology event within their school to bring awareness to the effective and successful use of technology for modern learning. This grant is done in partnership with LEARNstyle, one of YRDSB’s assistive technology training providers. The Ignite Technology Grant is designed to create leadership opportunities, build communication skills, and increase self-esteem for students with SEA equipment within their school community. Elementary and Secondary schools can apply for an award of up to $1000.
Another component of the Ignite Technology Grant are the Grade 12 Graduation Awards for students who will be graduating secondary school in June 2025. The Graduation Awards, up to $1500, are given to students who use SEA equipment to put towards the purchase of personal technology to assist in their post-secondary goals.
A total of $5400 will be distributed between the School and Graduation Awards. The distribution of awards is dependent upon the number and range of applications which meet the Ignite Technology Grant criteria. Applications open October 15, 2024 and close on December 6, 2024.
World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day will take place on October 10, 2024 and is an opportunity to discuss and examine ways to protect and improve mental health. The October newsletter from the YRDSB Mental Health Team highlights some of the ways to support our mental health through promoting personal resilience. For more information and tips on fostering mental health and well-being, check out the YRDSB Mental Health monthly newsletters throughout the school year.
Spotlighting Excellence, Achievement & Community
Camp Above and Beyond
The YRDSB Blind and Low Vision (BLV) department held Camp Above and Beyond during the first week of July. This camp focuses on learning and practicing essential skills from the expanded core curriculum for students with visual impairments. Some activities campers engaged in included planning, shopping for, and preparing waffles and creative salads from scratch. They also took public transportation to complete a shopping excursion at Hillcrest Mall and enjoyed a game of bowling on the final day. Throughout the camp, campers were offered many experiences to use collaboration, recreation and leisure, independent living, orientation and mobility, and social skills.
Work Experience - Building a Bright Future in the Fast-Food Industry
Hubert, a Grade 12 student at Bill Crothers SS, has set his sights on securing part-time employment in the fast-food industry. His journey began in Grade 10 with a work experience placement at Dairy Queen Grill & Chill (DQ), where he started with one shift per week. Demonstrating remarkable growth, he soon increased to two days with full-time hours, gradually building his independence. Hubert also mastered commuting independently via the YRT to and from his placement. As Hubert proudly shares, “I take the bus by myself from home to work and back again every single time. I check in with my teachers, but they don’t have to go with me anymore. It feels good doing things on my own and not needing help anymore. I really like work experience”.
This past summer, Hubert’s hard work paid off as DQ offered him seasonal paid employment which he completed with great success. For the 2024-2025 school year, Hubert has embarked on a new adventure with a placement at Tim Hortons. After his first shift, he has already made a fantastic impression on his employer.
These work experience opportunities are part of Hubert’s plan to develop the essential skills and readiness needed to apply for and participate in the YRDSB Pathways to Employment & Applied Knowledge (PEAK Program) in two years. We are incredibly proud of his achievements and look forward to seeing his continued success!
Important Dates
From the Learning Disabilities Association of York-Simcoe (LDAYS)
Navigating the School System Presentation
We have an upcoming presentation on the topic of Navigating The School System. In this presentation, we will be exploring effective strategies for understanding and manoeuvring through the complexities of the educational system. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or student, this presentation aims to provide valuable insights and practical tips to help you successfully navigate the school system. Looking forward to your participation! The presentation will be held on Monday, October 28th at 7:00pm via Zoom. Online Registration
Social Skills Fall 2024
We’re excited to startup our Social Skills Program after the summer break! Designed for children ages 7 to 12 years of age looking to enhance communication, build confidence and/or develop new friendships, our program is here to support and guide them every step of the way.
Locations
- Richmond Hill: Monday Sessions from 6:00pm to 7:00pm at 9030 Leslie Street, Unit 216. Contact us for upcoming dates.
- Newmarket: Tuesday Sessions from 6:15pm to 7:15pm at Bogart Public School. Contact us for upcoming dates.
- Bradford: Wednesday Sessions. Contact us for upcoming dates, times and locations.
Join us for another fantastic season of learning and growth. For more details and to sign up, visit our website or reach out to Tori Bekolay at tori.bekolay@ldays.org or 905-884-7933 ext.4.
Level Up Tutoring Program
Welcome back, and let’s Level Up together! LDAYS is thrilled to announce that the Level Up Tutoring Program is back. Designed for students in grade 3 to grade 7 looking to catch up, get ahead, or needing extra support, our dedicated tutors are here to help them achieve their academic goals. Enroll now to secure a spot and let’s make this school year the best one yet!
For more information and to sign up, visit our website or contact Alicia Carter at alicia.carter@ldays.org or 905-884-7933 ext. 6.
Reading Rocks and JUMP Math
Reading Rocks will be continuing this fall. Days and times are flexible. Join us for 8 weeks of engaging sessions to help students improve their reading skills and set them up for success into the new school year! For students ages 8-14 with a primary diagnosis of LD/ADHD. Online Registration
Jump Math will be continuing this fall. Days and times are flexible. Join us for 8 weeks of interactive learning and engaging activities designed to strengthen mathematical skills! For students ages 8-14 with a primary diagnosis of LD/ADHD. Online Registration
For more information and to sign up for Reading Rocks and/or Jump Math, visit our website or contact Alicia at alicia.carter@ldays.org or at 905-884-7933 ext. 6.
SoAR
We’re thrilled to announce that the SoAR program is resuming after the summer break! In SoAR, we focus on supporting smooth transitions between elementary school to high school and also high school to post secondary. It is designed to help students navigate changes and thrive academically as well as socially in their new chapter of life. We’re excited to continue providing valuable strategies for success to your students!
The program can be facilitated in a group setting or one to one. Groups are held in class for 4 sessions with 6 participants per group. For more information and to register for SoAR, please contact Sara at sara.carnovale@ldays.org or at 905-884-7933 ext. 3.
Ontario Council for Exceptional Children
Ontario Council for Exceptional Children’s Annual Special Education Conference
The theme of the 2024 conference is Well-being, Equity and Success for All. Presentations will focus on evidence-based practices, instructional strategies, and technology to equitably support the well-being, learning and achievement of all students with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. The conference program features more than 70 lecture and poster presentations in numerous topical areas, including: accessibility; diversity, equity, and inclusion; paraprofessionals; low incidence exceptionalities; mental health and well-being for students and educators; at-risk children & youth; autism; assistive and adaptive technology; literacy and numeracy; transitions; managing challenging behaviour; learning disabilities; developmental disabilities; post-secondary initiatives, and a Ministry of Education update.
Date: November 30 - December 1
- Location: Marriott Downtown CF Toronto Eaton Centre
For more information, please contact cindy.perras@gmail.com
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.
Upcoming SEAC Meetings
- October 10, 2024
- November 7, 2024
- December 12, 2024
- January 9, 2024
