[Jean Tsang]

Hi Everyone,

I’m posting this on behalf of my child’s school:

Job Details

Job Title: Special Education Assistant

Facility: St. Francis Xavier School

Type of Child Care: School Age

Qualifications: School Age Certificate

Other Qualifications Required: Graduate from a SETA program is preferred

Required Experience: Experience working with school aged children particularly with special needs; display flexibility and an ability to multi-task; willingness to learn

Key Responsibilities: Assist special needs students with educational program; facilitate inclusion, communication and social interaction; fill out home/school communication log; attend IEP and staff meetings; supervision; other duties as assigned by teacher; extracurricular

Location City/Town: Vancouver

Employment Terms: Full-Time/Permanent

Position Start Date September 2, 2008

Position End Date: June 30, 2009

Hours of Work: 35 hrs/week

Salary & Benefits: TBD & Benefit package

Application Closing Date: May 27, 2008

Additional Notes: St. Francis Xavier School is a K-7 Catholic Independent School operating in the Vancouver Archdiocese. A criminal record check and a pastoral reference is a condition of employment.

Contact Information

Contact Name: Brenda Krivuzoff

Phone Number: 604-254-2714

Fax Number: 604-254-2514

E-Mail Address: sfxs@telus.net

Mailing Address: 428 Great Northern Way,Vancouver, BC, V5T 4S5

Website Address: http://www.sfxschool.ca

[Jean Tsang]

Hi Jamica,

I found one in Sports Check (Metropolis) about a year ago for $20.

Jean

[Jean Tsang]

Hi,

Does any one know of a good speech language pathologist he/she would recommend? Please email me at jptsang@telus.net, or post on this chat board.

Thanks for your help.

Jean

[Jean Tsang]

**THERAPISTS NEEDED IN SOUTH-EAST VANCOUVER**

To work with our 7-year-old son who is very verbal and enthusiastic. Our programming consists of language, perspectives, organization, social and OT. We require 2-3 therapists who can commit 6-7 hrs/week during the school year after school and weekends, and more hours during July & August for summer camp support and morning therapy sessions. We're located by the Elliott St. bus route (#29).

Please email jptsang@uniserve.com

[Jean Tsang]

Hi,

I am drafting a letter to the parents of my son's kindergarten class asking for play dates, and would greatly appreciate any suggestions on points to include in the letter. If you have a draft you can share, that would be great. My email address is jptsang@uniserve.com.

Thank you.

[Jean Tsang]

LINE THERAPIST NEED to work with our 6-year-old son. The hours are Tue 1:30 – 4:30, Sat 9:00 – 12:00, and bi-weekly team meeting Wed 4:30 – 5:30. Experience is preferred but not necessary as training will be provided. General experience working with young children is an asset. We prefer a minimum commitment of one year. Our consultant is Buffy Paul. We are located in south-east Vancouver accessible by the Elliott St. bus. Interested individuals please email jptsang@uniserve.com.

[Jean Tsang]

Hi,

Can anyone direct me to the agency that performs criminal records check for residents of Richmond? I've just hired a therapist who lives in Richmond. When she went to the Richmond RCMP with a letter of request from me, they told her that they don't do criminal records check for indvidual "employers," only for organizations, citing not enough manpower. Thanks for your help.

Jean

[Jean Tsang]

Hello, I am posting this position for my kindergarten-age son on behalf of his school:

SPECIAL EDUCATION ASSISTANT

St. Francis Xavier School is seeking an empathetic, committed candidate for the position of part-time special education assistant. Responsibilities include providing one-on-one support to an autistic student 20 hours/week and attending school-based team meetings.

The successful candidate will have excellent communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in working with autistic children or a special education background. Additional training will be provided.

Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

If you are interested in a position that offers dynamic challenges and opportunities within a school environment, please forward your cover letter and resume to:

Brenda Krivuzoff, Principal
St. Francis Xavier School
428 Great Northern Way, Vancouver, B.C.
email: sfxs@telus.net or fax to 604-254-2514

[Jean Tsang]

My son will be starting kindergarten this fall in the Vancouver school district. I would be grateful if you would share your thoughts and experiences on schools. I need to know what to expect and prepare a back-up plan should things unravel.

As I work through the barriers in implementing a behaviour plan for my son in his preschool, I realize that VSB is even more of a monolith to deal with (despite their assurances), that hope for my son's recovery lies in the home program and not the school. Right now I feel that the only use for my son attending school is for socializing, and I'm not sure if this would even be handled effectively. It's somewhat a waste of time.

Putting my frustrations aside, I have these questions:
1. The school informed me that he will be eligible for a half-time SSW, but stressed to me that the SSW is assigned to the class, not the individual student. How adequate is the support being provided?
2. Does the school support attempts at coordination between school and home programs? For example, if a child has behaviour problems in class that cannot be resolved by the school, can the parent ask the school to take ABC data for use by the family's behaviour consultant? Can the behaviour consultant make observations in school? Will the school implement behaviour plans set up by the family? Is there a "our people-their people" mentality? Are there many hurdles to jump to achieve coordination?
3. What strategies work best in dealing with the school?
4. Are there differences between schools within the same district? Between school districts?
5. Which schools/districts are more accommodating than others?
6. Are private schools more responsive given that the parents would fund a portion of the aide's salary?
7. Are there suitable non-religious private schools in the Lower Mainland I can consider?

Thanks for your help. Please post on the chat board or e-mail me at jptsang@uniserve.com.

Jean

[Jean Tsang]

Hello,

I'm wondering if anyone knows of swimming instructors or swimming programs in Vancouver, Burnaby or Richmond areas that are suited for kids with ASD.

Our 5-year-old has been taking weekly group lessons for a year and it appears that the instructors that were assigned have not been firm enough to deal with his behaviours (yelling, walking away, inattentiveness, repeating "I'm can't do it" or "I'm scared", splashing water at other kids, etc).

Any advice on this subject will be much appreciated.

[Author]

Posts