Academic Resource

Welcome to St. Michael Catholic Secondary School's

Academic Resource Department

"Fairness does not mean everyone gets the same.

Fairness means everyone gets what they need."

- Rick Riordan, The Red Pyramid

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THE ACADEMIC RESOURCE DEPARTMENT

Academic Resource Teachers (ext. 29309)

Department Head - Mr. G. Firth (Grade 10 A-K & Grade 11) 

Ms. J. Cataldo (Grade 10 L-Z & Grade 12)

Mr. F. Dragonetti (Grade 9)

Planning for Independence Teachers (ext. 29124)

Ms. P. Caruana

Ms. S. Mazza-DiBratto

Mr. F. Dragonetti

Ms. V. Eliseo

Mr. M. Silvestri

Planning for Independence ERWs (ext. 29124)

Ms. P. Cheeseman

Ms. Z. Cordeiro

Ms. A. Montagnese

Ms. V. Onyige

Ms. J. Virgilio

Advantage Program

Mr. M. Silvestri

The Academic Resource Department at St. Michael Catholic Secondary School offers support services for identified students who have been deemed exceptional through the Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) or those students who are working on an Individual Education Plan (IEP).

This website has been designed to provide information pertaining to special education and achieving success in high school. Use the links below to access subpages on a number of topics or for information on a specific program.

Saint Joseph of Cupertino

Many know that Saint Joseph of Cupertino, who often levitated during times of profound prayer and reverence, is the patron saint of flying. But perhaps students preparing for their final exams, and in need of a heavenly boost with studies, will be glad to know that he is also a patron for struggling students.

Born in Puglia, Italy, in 1603, Joseph dealt with severe learning disabilities which – with the help of Heaven – did not prevent him from attaining the priesthood.

His father died before his birth and Joseph’s debt-ridden mother gave birth to him in a stable. From the age of five, the boy applied himself to devout prayer, often remaining motionless, with his eyes raised to the sky, which earned him the nickname “Bocca aperto” (“mouth agape”). At 17, Joseph became a Capuchin, but his intellectual impairments and frequent ecstasies made him unsuitable. His mother, whose brother was a conventual Franciscan, used her influence to eventually have him admitted to a friary near Cupertino.

At Cupertino, Joseph was put in charge of the care of the community’s mule, but his cheerful obedience eventually won over his superiors who, despite his illiteracy, were so struck by the young man’s piety and obedience that they received him as a candidate for the priesthood.

All unschooled, Joseph remained unable to explain a single text of the bible except verse 27 of Luke, Chapter 11: As Jesus said this, a woman raised her voice in the crowd saying, “Blessed is the mother who bore you into it, and whose breasts have fed you!”

On January 3, 1627, Bishop Jerome of Franchis presided over an oral examination required for entrance exam to the minor orders. In choosing a theme, the bishop opened the Bible at random and landed precisely upon Luke 11:27. To his surprise, Joseph made a brilliant commentary on the verse and was permitted to advance.

A year later, Joseph – by then a deacon – asked to be received into the priesthood. Saint Joseph was canonized July 16, 1767 by Pope Clement XIII.

DPCDSB's Parent Guide to Special Education.pdf

New Information -->Special Education in Ontario 2017 Guide

IEP Information --> What is an IEP in Ontario?

What are Accommodations?
The term Accommodation is used to refer to the special teaching and assessment strategies, human supports, and/or individualized equipment required to enable a student to learn and to demonstrate learning. Accommodations do not alter the provincial curriculum expectations for the grade.

Accommodated only (AC) is the term used on the IEP to identify subjects or courses from the Ontario curriculum in which the student requires accommodations alone in order to work towards achieving the regular grade expectations.

Accommodations described in the IEP should include only those strategies and supports that differ from what is normally provided during classroom instruction. All accommodations documented in the IEP must be made available to the student.

Accommodations do not change the content of the learning expectations, but they should take into account the student’s preferred learning modality and areas of strength and need, and should provide students with appropriate opportunities to demonstrate their learning.

Three types of Accommodations:

Instructional Accommodations – Adjustments in teaching strategies required to enable the student to learn and to progress through the curriculum. Examples of instructional accommodations: graphic organizers, duplicated notes, chunking and extra time for processing.

Environmental Accommodations – Changes or supports in the physical environment or the classroom and/or the school. Examples of environmental accommodations: strategic seating, alternative workspace, quiet setting and proximity to instructor.

Assessment Accommodations – Adjustments in assessment activities and methods required to enable the student to demonstrate learning. Examples of assessment accommodations: extended time limits, oral presentation of tests, memory aids, use of computer or word processor.

Ontario Ministry of Education. The Individual Education Plan (IEP) A Resource Guide. © Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2004. Web. 18 March 2013.