Background
From the Guide to Education "Outreach Programs - An outreach program provides an educational alternative for students who, due to individual circumstances, find that the traditional school setting does not meet their needs. The program allows students to access resources that improve their ability to succeed academically and socially. A flexible approach is taken to teaching and learning in recognition of individual student needs. Outreach programs serve students of junior and senior high school age. … To support student success, the outreach program must provide students with access to educational services in addition to distance learning courses and materials. Examples of such services are personal and career counselling, conflict resolution, anger management training, gifted and talented programs, time management training and study skills."
Grasslands School Division has established Sunrise School as an outreach school in order to support junior and senior high school students who are not being successful in a traditional school program, and who are approved to enrol at Sunrise School, in order to enhance their education experience and their prospects of graduating from high school.
Procedures
- Commitments - Having established Sunrise School as an outreach school, Grasslands School Division shall:
- Maintain a transparent funding model that recognizes that an outreach school needs to be funded differently than a traditional school.
- Ensure that the site and facilities where the Outreach Program will be offered is stand-alone and meets Alberta building, health and safety standards for school buildings.
- Develop, keep current and implement written procedures for the Outreach Program.
- Ensure that the program uses the Alberta Education Programs of Study. Approved locally-developed junior or senior high courses may also be offered.
- Ensure the program provides students with educational supports and services and training that are in addition to the Programs of Study.
- Ensure that students have access to instruction by a certificated teacher during the instructional day for a minimum instructional time of 950 hours for junior high school students and 1000 hours for high school students.
- Include Outreach Program operations and results in the jurisdiction's Annual Education Results Reports and Three-Year Education Plans.
- Eligibility and Admission Processes – Approval to enrol at the Sunrise School is a Grasslands School Division decision.
- Current Sunrise Students – An annual determination will be made regarding the continued enrolment at Sunrise or directed enrolment, either partially or full time, at another Grasslands School. The superintendent or designate shall consult with the Sunrise principal and, if appropriate, the principal of the other possible school prior to making that decision.
- Current Grasslands Students in Other Schools - Annual Process
- Principals, in conjunction with classroom and student support teachers will identify students currently in, or about to enter junior and/or senior high school who are not being successful and would be likely to benefit from an alternative setting. A list of students recommended for consideration shall be provided to the superintendent or designate by March 15th using the referral form in Appendix A.
- The director of students services shall examine each student's attendance, progress in the current school, any available psycho educational assessments in preparation for a meeting. She/he may also prepare background information on other students for discussion.
- The superintendent or designate shall convene a meeting with the principal of the current school, the principal of Sunrise and the director of student services to discuss possible placement.
- The superintendent or designate shall decide by May 1st which students he/she approves (subject to student and parental agreement) to be enrolled at Sunrise School.
- The Sunrise program will be described by the current school principal to the student and parent, and the student and parent will be given the opportunity to visit the school and speak with the Sunrise principal.
- A recommendation letter will be sent to the parent(s). (See Appendix C)
- Records shall be transferred from the current school to Sunrise School for those who will be registered at that school.
- Grasslands Students Transferred During the School Year
In order to facilitate planning and the maintenance of a school culture at Sunrise School, most placements will occur prior to the commencement of the school year. However, the superintendent or designate may direct a student to Sunrise School as a result of a discipline hearing or in other instances where the student is not achieving success, including instances where the student was recommended for Sunrise enrolment, chose not to accept the recommendation, and it is evident early in the year that the he/she is still not being successful in the traditional school setting.
- Parent and/or Student Self-Referral
Parents or students may self-refer to attend Sunrise School using the form in Appendix B. The final decision regarding placement in the Outreach Program shall be made by the superintendent or designate after consultation with the student, parent(s) or legal guardians, the Sunrise principal, the director of student services and, if applicable, the Grasslands principal of the school where the student most recently attended.
- Students New to Grasslands
A recommendation that a student be considered for enrolment at Sunrise School could be made by the principal of the school where the student seeks to register, if the information from the previous jurisdiction indicates that the student is coming from a similar program or was about to enter a similar program. Self-referral by a parent or student could also occur. The decision about placement will be as it would be for a Grasslands student.
- Off-Campus Students
Students beyond the age of compulsory attendance may register directly at Sunrise School for an off-campus program using Alberta curriculum. The principal shall provide the director of student services with the student information as with on-campus students. Students under the compulsory attendance age who self-refer for an off-campus program shall apply using Appendix B.
Attendance Expectations
Attendance at an outreach school can be more flexible than in a traditional school setting. Some may be completing some of the course work at home. Students beyond the age of mandatory attendance may be in attendance part time in addition to working part time or caring for a child. Students will have individual expectations established for school attendance and attendance will be monitored. If students are not attending regularly enough to succeed, the principal might change the expectation for that student and/or take action as authorized by the School Act and subsequently the Education Act.
Performance Expectations
Students at Sunrise School have either been unsuccessful in, or unable to attend, a traditional school. Therefore, expectations must be established on an individual basis.
- Due to the purpose of an outreach school, behaviour expectations are different from those in a traditional school; however, there is an expectation that students will be progressing towards the kind of respectful behaviour that will enable them to be successful citizens. If a student's behaviour is threatening the safety of other students or staff members, suspension and/or expulsion could result.
- Academic success is the goal for each student. Individual expectations will be dependent on the issues that caused the student's placement at Sunrise. Some may be able to progress at a grade pre year basis towards graduation, some will be able to regain some lost time in a more flexible setting and some will need to take fewer courses or take longer to complete a course in order to complete high school.
- Students will be assisted in obtaining information about post-secondary and employment opportunities in order to transition after graduation.
Appendix A
SUNRISE SCHOOL ON-SITE REFERRAL
(To be completed by school principal for Elementary, Jr. and Senior High on-site program placement and brought to the team discussion at Central Office)
NOTE: THIS IS CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND WILL BE USED BY SCHOOL PERSONNEL ONLY
➢ COPIES OF THIS FORM MUST BE FORWARDED TO THE SUNRISE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL AND CENTRAL OFFICE STUDENT SERVICES PERSONNEL
Date ____________ Current Special Education Code ____________ IPP ☐ yes ☐ no
Student's name Last ____________ First ____________
Birthday (Y/M/D) ____________ C.A. (as of Sept. 1st) ______ years ______ months
Current Grade/Program ____________ Present School ____________
Mother's name Last ____________ First ____________
Father's name Last ____________ First ____________
Address ____________ Postal Code ____________
Home Phone ____________ Business Phone ____________
Previous Psycho-educational assessment ☐ yes ☐ no Assessment date ____________
CURRENT SCHOOL INFORMATION
Current Courses: Please list courses currently registered in, most recent marks & topics covered
Summarize contacts with parents and other agencies
Impact statement
List classroom and school level strategies which have been used to support the needs of the student. Indicate whether strategy is an intervention (I) or accommodation (A) and if you have seen success.
| Strategy | A Or I | Successful Yes | Successful No | Duration | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
_____________________________ __________________ Teacher Signature Date
Please Complete
________________________ __________ ________________________ __________ Receiving Principal Signature Date Referring Principal Signature Date
Appendix B
SUNRISE SCHOOL SELF REFERRAL
(To be completed by parent/guardian or student for consideration in a Sunrise School program)
NOTE: THIS IS CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND WILL BE USED BY SCHOOL PERSONNEL ONLY
➢ COPIES OF THIS FORM MUST BE FORWARDED TO THE DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES – GRASSLANDS CENTRAL OFFICE
Date: ____________ Current Special Education Code ______ IPP ☐ yes ☐ no
Student's name: Last ____________ First ____________
Birthday (Y/M/D) ____________
Mother/Guardian name: Last ____________ First ____________
Father/Guardian name: Last ____________ First ____________
Address ____________ Postal Code ____________
Home Phone ____________
EDUCATION HISTORY:
Is the student currently attending school? ☐ Yes ☐ No
If YES, name of current school: ____________
If NO, name of last school attended: ____________
Highest grade completed: ____________
High School courses completed:
Has the student previously had a psycho-educational assessment? ☐ Yes ☐ No
If YES, assessment date: ____________
Briefly explain the reason(s) for requesting an alternative school placement:
☐ I understand Grasslands Public Schools may contact student, guardian(s) and current/previous schools during the review process.
You will be contacted with a decision once the referral has been reviewed.
Student Signature: ____________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: ____________________________
Appendix C
Date: ____________
Dear: ____________
Re: Recommendation to attend Sunrise School
Grasslands Public Schools operates an alternative Jr. and Senior High program at Sunrise School which offers students who have experienced difficulties in other settings the opportunity to participate in a flexible, individualized learning environment. Daily attendance is expected, just as in all schools, however flexibility exists to meet individual circumstances and needs.
Students recommended for Sunrise School may struggle with attendance, anxiety, social/emotional concerns or other school avoidance issues. Programs offered at Sunrise follow the same Alberta Education curriculum as other schools, however they can be adjusted to the student's current level and need.
Due to a variety of factors, ____________School in consultation with Grasslands Central Office, recommends that ________ attend Sunrise School for the ____________school year. It is felt that this alternative program would provide the level of structure and flexibility needed to support _____________________ in being successful.
☐ I understand the recommendation and agree with placement at Sunrise School for September _______.
☐ I understand the recommendation and do not agree with placement at Sunrise School for September _____. I understand that Grasslands will closely monitor my child's progress at their designated school and should concerns continue, a formal referral and transition may take place mid-year.
_____________________________ __________________ Parent/Guardian Signature Date
_____________________________ Administrator