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10 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday May 10, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Catholic board gives students with special needs more options By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The Halton Catholic District School Board will likely be giving parents of children with mild intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities more options for their education starting this fall. A staff report presented at Tuesday night's meeting by Gary Mahoney, superintendent of special education services, recommends the creation of congregated classes at St. John School in Oakville and St. Raphael School in Burlington for students in Grades 5-8, who have developmental disabilities. The classes would have an enrolment cap of 10 students and would be run by a special education teacher and two educational assistants. Students in those same grades with mild intellectual disabilities could be placed in a congregated class at Ascension School in Burlington, according to the report. Enrolment would not exceed 16 pupils, and would also be overseen by one special education teacher and two educational assistants. It is expected the board will approve the initiative so that these classes will be in place for the new school year starting this September. Happy Mother's Day! Author unknown Before I was a Mom I made and ate hot meals, I had unstained clothing. I had quiet conversations on the phone. Before I was a Mom I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth every day. Before I was a Mom, I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or forgot words of lullabies. Before I was a Mom, I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations. Before I was a Mom, I had never been puked on, pooped on, spit on, chewed on, peed on or pinched by tiny fingers. Before I was a mom I had complete control of my thoughts, my body, and my mind. I slept all night. Before I was a Mom, I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests, or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep. Before I was a Mom, I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom. Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a Mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important. Before I was a Mom I had never got up in the middle of the night, every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonder or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom! Before I Was A Mom WAREHOUSE SALE 30%-50% OFF ALL MERCHANDISE Fine Furniture & Accessories ADDITIONAL LOCATION 348 Lakeshore Rd. E., Oakville (near Reynolds & Lakeshore) 905-842-8060 NOTICE of Pesticide Use The Town of Oakville The Town of Oakville intends to control European Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar) in the following locations: within the Town of Oakville using an aerial spray of the pesticide Btk (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki); Foray 48B; PCP #24977 under the Pest Control Products Act (Canada). The spraying of Btk will occur on two to three days, weather permitting, between mid May and early June. "Parents were informing us that students required more contained settings so they can make some gains, and we want to be able to provide that range of service because one size doesn't fit all," Mahoney said. The new classes are not mandatory, allowing parents to choose if their child would be best educated in a regular classroom or in a congregated class. Mahoney said only three classes are being proposed as it reflects the number of parents surveyed who were interested in such an option. "The classroom capacity we're looking at starting with is probably going to be responsive to most of the people who would want the service," he said. "If it looks as if we have a larger response than we anticipated, we would have to look at the possibility of establishing another class. From our point of view, we would like to locate it in a school that has space in a location that is central enough that we don't create long commutes for the students involved." The new system will reduce the number of educational assistants currently working with students on a one-on-one basis, resulting in salary recovery. However, an increase in transportation costs is expected as students will be travelling further distances to get to the specialized classes. For example, there will likely be Milton students travelling to classes in Oakville and Burlington, according to Mahoney. "We don't have enough students to locate one in the north yet, but that would certainly be the direction we would be looking for in our next development, if we have a large number of students from that area," he said. "The issue for us with the north schools is that with the kind of enrolment pressures they are under with the enormous growth, it makes it harder for us to find open space." The report recommending the implementation of these three classes was created by Mahoney based on information obtained by the board's special education services office staff in conjunction with the Special Education Advisory Committee. That committee consists of trustees, as well as members from various groups, like VOICE for Hearing Impaired Children, the Learning Disabilities Association of Halton, and the Halton Down Syndrome Association. A representative from the Learning Disabilities Association of Halton said the decision to create congregated classes was "a huge move forward" for the Catholic board's special education program, as long as it best serves each student. "In the way that class sizes are today, you have one teacher, 25 kids and sometimes a child that needs a very individualized program," said Heather Holden, a board member with Learning Disabilities Association of Halton, who has been involved with the group for more than 30 years. "Common sense says it isn't going to happen in a regular class. It also means you have a child who has significant learning needs who HOME DECOR See Public page 11 BEST PRICES EVER $ 14 SEER HI-EFFICIENCY 600 OFF WAS 3100 $ 3200 $ 3400 $ 3600 $ The road closures will be for a limited time in the early morning hours between 5 to 8 a.m. Happy Mother's Day The Centre is a registered charitable organization, that has provided programs and services for families since 1980. Our services are designed to support all families in their parenting role. We also offer early learning opportunities for children 0-6 years. CENTRAL AIR 1.5 TON 2 TON 2.5 TON 3 TON NOW 2500 $ 2600 $ 2800 $ 3000 $ From Neyagawa Blvd to Third Line From Portland Dr. to Plymouth Dr. From Winston Park Dr. to Buckingham Rd. For further information contact: John McNeil, Manager of Forestry and Cemetery Services, Town of Oakville, 905-845-6601, ext. 3395. Collect calls will be accepted from individuals calling long distance. 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