We teach children with learning disabilities the way they learn.

We Also…

• Teach our teachers to focus upon making sure the student learns

• Support the parents to be parents as they are no longer required to teach their children

• Homework is a thing of the past!

Our History in Brief

1983 Started

1986 Charitable Organization

2004 Designated Special Education Facility

2008 New 5 Year Strategic Plan Created

Parent of a 1st Year Student

“One of my most painful memories as a parent was the day I accepted the fact the public education system simply could not help my son. That was the day I walked into Bridgeway- my last hope.”

Our Vision…

• To provide our students with the skills, opportunities and understanding to develop to their full potential.

We Also…

• Provide families the relief they deserve in a way no other institution or organization does.

• Provide information to the professionals who deal with the families with kids with Learning Disabilities

Parent of 2nd Year Student

“The whole family is a happier unit and there are no more nights of fighting about school work. We can never thank the staff at Bridgeway enough for what they have done.”

Our Facilities

• Our Dartmouth facility is a former public elementary school

• We can accommodate 120 students• 2nd location now in Bible Hill-Truro

Our Teachers

• 6:1 student to teacher ratio• Certified educators knowledgeable in the field

of learning disabilities • Share the belief each child must be taught in

the way that he or she learns• Are supported by professional educators and

psychologists• Attend professional workshops

Teacher’s Remark

“Bridgeway restores the parent-child relationship by taking responsibility and accountability for educating children, allowing parents to focus on parenting.”

Our Acceptance Process

• Phone call• Application, Homework, Paperwork• Acceptance: Diagnosed Learning

Disability (LD)• Absence of:

– Behavioural issues– Emotional issues– Cognitive delay– Autism

Our Programs

• Academic • Remedial• Transitional

Remedial Classes

• Bridgeway’s Reading Program• Bridgeway’s Social Skills Program• Behavioural Skills• Organization/Study Skills• Math Skills• Writing• Vocabulary/Comprehension• Learning Disabilities Awareness

The First Year

• Students have 90 % of their class time scheduled for remedial classes– Work with psychologist – Top five remedial classes– Teach remedial classes using

curriculum topics

The Second Year

• Students are scheduled for approximately 50 % remedial classes

• Dependant upon – Assessment results– Anecdotal records– Updated psych-ed reports

The Third Year

• Students may have a smaller percentage of their class time scheduled as remedial classes

Or • Students may be recommended

for a transition year

Transition Program

• Determined by – teacher evaluation– informal academic assessments – up-dated psycho-educational assessments

• Academic classes at grade level • Only adaptations and accommodations if

necessary• 20:1 ratio

Our Reading Program

• Three part program:– Part one – Reading Readiness– Part two – Intro to Phonics– Part three – Read/Write/Spell Skills

• Each lesson contains a shared-reading portion

• Students practice event sequencing and writing in each lesson

Social Skills

• Developed for NVLD specifically• Groupings for PDD, ADHD male, ADHD

female• Self-awareness, self-esteem• Awareness of others• Cause and effect• Peer/social situations• Body language (display and

interpretation)

Behavioural Skills

• Outside the classroom – Quiet– Private

• Guidance for students– Comprehension– expression

• Teaching opportunity

Math/Math Skills

• Broken down into two categories:– Math, at grade level– Math skills

• Skills focus is on:– Life (money, time, etc.)– Operations– Mental math

Organization & Study Skills

• Skills for school– Note-taking– Test-taking– Learning styles

• Skills for everyday– Time management– scheduling

Vocab/Comprehension

• Understanding and processing information– Orally– Visually– Written

• Expansion of vocabulary• Word association

Organization

• Student Agenda• Calendar-due dates• Files in classroom• Visual aids• Binder set-up

LD Awareness

• Facts vs. myths• Learning styles• Students learn about themselves and

other LDs• Self-esteem• Self-advocacy

Self-Advocacy

• Go-to person• Hierarchy • Designated space• Services available

Drumming Program

• African drumming is offered for 30 minutes • Students participate one morning per week• Refines gross motor control• Highlights student strengths, attention,

memory

Tuition Support Funding

• Provided by the Dept. of Ed.• Currently a four year program• 2008-2009 school year = $ 6600.00• Designated for specific schools, Bridgeway

Academy, Churchill Academy, Landmark East• Awarded to students who are on an IPP in

their current public school, with an acceptance to one of the three designated schools

Turning Tides

• Tutoring services– Subject specific (math, science, english,

etc.)• Bridgeway’s programs– Reading, social skills, study/organizational

skills• Skills-based day program• Home-schooling support and program

development

Our Kids…

Their Work…

We need your help- To help the kids- To help the parents- To spread the word

Questions?