Inclusion Parent Interest Group

Inclusive education is the first choice for all students in Edmonton Catholic Schools. Research continues to prove that all children, including those with special education needs, learn as well or better when they are together with their peers in regular classroom settings.

Special needs programming consultants with Learning Support Services have been collaborating with parents of students with special needs through the Edmonton Catholic School District’s Inclusion Parent Interest Group.

This collaborative group meets regularly to promote, support, and improve inclusive education within the Edmonton Catholic School District community. The group meets to discuss inclusive education practices and the importance of creating and maintaining active parent participation in programming for students with special needs. The district believes in the value of the inclusive approach to education and seeks to highlight the tremendous opportunities for individual growth and social awareness through maintaining diversity in classrooms and school communities.

The Inclusion Parent Interest Group provides support for parents of students with special needs and encourages communication and collaboration through a network which currently includes over 50 parent members throughout the district.

Each child is viewed as a unique gift from God and is deserving of celebration. Children that learn together, learn to live together. The focus of the group is to make that a continued reality in Edmonton Catholic Schools.

For more information on this group, or to be included in the parent network, please contact Cory Donald from Learning Support Services at 780-989-3024.

Published in the Edmonton Journal – Education Pullout ~ Summer, 2008

Parent Session

Effective Collaborative Learning Teams

October 7, 2009 from 7-9 pm
St. Peter Centre
7330-113 Street, Edmonton

The Learning Team is central to the successful inclusion of any child with special needs. This session will help families develop various skills and approaches to help contribute to the creation of an effective, collaborative Learning Team. A range of practical approaches for building relationships with teachers and school staff will be explored to further develop communication to be maintained throughout the school year. The session will focus on sharing your child’s strengths, home-school communication strategies, promoting collaborative actions that will produce positive, productive meetings, and IPP preparation. The session will support family members in their continued effort to meaningfully contribute to the successful inclusive education of their children as members of the Learning Team.

Parent Concerns

• Protocol for Parent Concerns in Special Education

Annual Group Report

• Highlights 2008-2009