Clifford Bowey PS

All students of Clifford Bowey Public School have been assessed by physicians, psychologists other professional support personnel. Clifford Bowey students require individual, specialized academic programming. For some, programming also requires the services of trained medical personnel, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and/or speech and language pathologists. Staff members use assessment data, from numerous sources, to inform and to develop an Individual Education Plans (IEP) for each student. IEPs are working documents that outline SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-sensitive) goals and learning expectations. Twice yearly, staff report student progress based on achievement and assessment data as outlined in the IEP. The Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS-R) continues to be used as a guide for student programming, as well as an assessment tool measuring student progress against the goals and expectations of the IEP. Specialized class programs are also assessed in relation to the Quality Program Indicators developed by Learning Support Services for students with Developmental Disabilities.

• Daily communication occurs between the home and school through the use of communication books.

• Each spring, the Identification Placement and Review Committee (IPRC), comprised of parent(s)/guardian(s) and OCDSB staff, review the strengths, learning needs and placement of each student.

• Curriculum, emphasizing individualized programs to meet student needs, incorporates communication, functional literacy and numeracy, life skills, motor skills, physical education, movement and music, and behaviour/social skills.

• Many students are provided with the opportunity to develop home and community skills by participating in activities such as recycling, can-crushing, paper-shredding, horticulture, food preparation, and kitchen maintenance.

• A number of intermediate and senior students engage in further work experiences in our commercial kitchen and at the Salvation Army and the Ottawa Food Bank.

• Some of our students may transition to placements in other OCDSB specialized class programs in community schools.

School improvement planning is on-going at Clifford Bowey School. Our committed and caring staff work collaboratively to assess and evaluate the needs of our students and develop appropriate action plans for improvement. Our school staff continues to implement the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS-R) to help determine student achievement in the areas of basic learner skills, academic skills, self-help skills and motor skills, and TEACCH Bins. Our focus continues on student assessment, evaluation and achievement using Core Vocabulary to support communication. These tools, which help inform instruction, are embedded in the 2013-2014 School Improvement Plan for Student Achievement (SIPSA).

• Our “Greening Committee” continues to plan improvements to our school yards and fitness trail.

• Our accessible primary play structure and specialized play surface was opened to our students in September 2011.

• Our greenhouse has been revitalized as an “An Edible Garden” serving our school community by providing fresh, locally grown herbs and opportunities for our students to build life skills.

• Our Physical Education Program uses a wide variety of specialized and/or adaptive equipment to meet the needs of our students.

• Our Snoezelen Sensory Room underwent renewal in 2012 with the addition of specialized equipment to help meet the multi-sensory needs of our students and to provide a place for relaxation therapy.