Tips for Parents of Students with Learning Disabilities

As educators who specialize in working with students with learning disabilities, we are often asked what resources are out there for parents or how can parents help their children at home.  A couple of weeks ago we shared the LD@School website and it is a great Canadian resource, full of relevant information for our parents and teachers.  There is another site called LD Online.  It is an American website but many of the strategies, tips, and resources are applicable for our Ontario parents. Below e is a link to an article, for example, that shares lots of great information for parents like how they can help with school work, and what medical professionals may be of assistance to a family with a child with a reading disability.  Please take a few minutes to read the article and look over the site and I'm sure you will find something of interest or relevance to you.

CLICK HERE  to read the article

First Year First Impressions

We just finished the first full week of school, and we thought it would be nice to hear what some of our first year students had to say about their time so far at Sagonaska.  (We know what the second years would say... they LOVE it... that's why they are back!)  Read below to hear what some of our newbies had to say!

"It was scary the first few days, but now its getting better.  I really like it and it's helping me learn already!" Holly, Grade 6

"I have only been here for not even two weeks and I'm already starting to improve.  I've already moved up a level so I'm really excited!" Zoey, Grade 7

"I feel like I'm already learning how to read!" Ella, Grade 7

"It's a really good school." Nathan, Grade 7

"It's one of the best things out there for kids with LDs.  And you learn a lot too." Lyndsey, Grade 7

"It is awesome!" Carter, Grade 7

"It's been good so far." Ryan, Grade 6

"It's a really good school.  You learn a lot.  And the teachers let you use Mindcraft!" Landon, Grade 5

"I found it very fun and not as boring as I thought it would be.  I've actually learned a lot in the short time I've been here." Cody, Grade 7

""It's a good school." Logan, Grade 6

"I love it." James, Grade 7

"The friendly atmosphere is really nice.  It's not as nerve wracking as being in a big class." Nikolas, Grade 8

"It's been really welcoming.  All the people are really nice.  Everything is really cool.  And it's fun." Hannah, Grade 8

"It's very inviting." Tyler, Grade 8

"It's been very good and I like it here. Everyone is welcoming and very nice.  And I wish this wasn't just a one or two year school.  I wish it was a forever school." Jordan, Grade 8

"It was very fun.  There was a lot of learning.  And I'm definitely coming back for the third week." Josh, Grade 8

"It's been pretty good.  It's been a lot of fun.  Residence is amazing!" Naomi, Grade 9

"I've been enjoying everything.  The best part is the dorm.  They keep you busy!" Martin, Grade 9

"I really like the residence and the learning.  I know my reading is going to get better." Cameron, Grade 9

LD@School

LD@School is an amazing resource for educators and parents of students with Learning Disabilities. If you haven't had a chance to check it out, it's definitely worth the time.  This website is the first resource of its kind.  It provides educators and parents with information about learning disabilities, shares resources that are available, and highlights research related to teaching students with learning disabilities.  There are amazing webinars and podcasts with experts in the field on a variety of topics, from assistive technology use to understanding executive functioning and the LD learner.  The success stories would be an excellent section to read with your child or student as well! Please take the time to check it out.  The link is always provided here on our blog on the right-hand side, under "Sites Worth Checking Out", but you can click below to go directly to the site as well.

CLICK HERE

First Week Activities!

Attending Sagonaska School is a unique experience for our students because not many kids live away from home at such a young age. In order for our students to feel safe and happy, our staff organized some activities to help the students get to know each other and the staff quickly and in an active and fun way.  It is so important to establish these trusting relationships right away in order for the students to feel at home and ready to learn.  Take a look at some of the cool teamwork photos that were taken over the first week to help bring us together as a family!

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Great Read! "Jay Leno's Advice for My Dyslexic Son"

Here's a nice story shared by our psychologist, Don Shattuck! A great read for the start of the year! There's no secret to success - except persistence, humour, improvisation and grit!!

Click HERE to take you to the story!



Monthly Cafeteria Menu

Attention all parents and students, new and old!


Are you curious about what's for lunch and dinner each day in the cafeteria? Well, wonder no more! Each month a copy of the monthly calendar will be posted under the link on the right hand side of this blog! Just click the link and you can see what you or your son or daughter will be eating throughout the month of September!

WELCOME BACK!

We are very excited to be welcoming our new students and welcoming back our returning students! 2016 - 2017 is going to be an amazing year at Sagonaska! Much of the school staff stayed the same with the exception of Jill Tracze, our new Grade 7 teacher! We are truly looking forward to seeing the transformations our all our students over the course of the year as they improve their reading, technology use, and advocacy skills. We are also looking forward to all the unique experiences our students will have as we grow as a team both in school and residence to help each and every student reach their full potential.  Remember to check the blog often for updates on school events, technology use, student achievement, and so on!