Inclusion
Program
Inclusive education is based on the core ideal that every child is valued equally and deserves the same opportunities and experiences. Children at all levels of ability learn in classrooms while participating in everyday activities together on a level playing field, developing a positive understanding of themselves and others. This takes place in an environment that reflects many of the similarities and differences existing in the real world while encouraging children to respect, appreciate and embrace the diversity of ability and culture.
At Friends School, we are committed to a mission of inclusion. We value the contribution that all of our students make to the learning community, and believe children of all abilities can learn well with and from one another. At Friends, individual differences are respected and celebrated, and children with special needs are welcome.
The Inclusion Program at Friends School was developed for our students who require additional support to reach their developmental goals. In order to determine if a student requires the services of our Inclusion Program, an extensive evaluation is undertaken. This process includes, but is not limited to, a review of any relevant community based assessments, therapies, progress notes, and reports from current or prior school placements.
The tier system
Once Friends School has fully assessed a prospective student, the inclusion team and the teaching team decide which additional services are necessary to support the child, class and teacher. The teams also determine how often those services need to be delivered – monthly, weekly, daily, or some combination thereof. As a result, the Tier Placement of the student is decided.
Depending upon need, students are placed into one of the tracks of our Additional Services Program which include – Tier 4, Tier 3, Tier 2, Tier 1, or Pathways to Inclusion consisting of Path 2 & Path 1, as follows:
Tier 4 (least amount of support provided) - students usually have very minor needs and are likely in the process of transitioning out of the Additional Services Program. These students traditionally benefit from consultative services, minor classroom or behavioral support, and mild accommodations. Coordination, training and academic assistance are provided by Friends School Staff.
Tier 3 - students have mild needs and benefit from one or more onsite therapies, while requiring little in the way of outstanding intervention. Coordination, training and academic assistance are provided by Friends School staff.
Tier 2 - students typically have moderate needs and benefit from two or more onsite therapies. Students requiring a behavior plan or intermittent intervention for significant non-compliance also fall under Tier 2.
Tier 1 - students are those with moderate to significant special needs. Tier 1 students require one-on-one assistance at specific times during the classroom day, and typically benefit from speech and behavioral therapy, as well as intensive academic assistance, behavioral plans and social skills instruction.
Pathways to Inclusion is designed for students with significant special needs. Pathways to Inclusion students require one-on-one assistance for most (Path 2) or all (Path 1) of the school day, and typically benefit from intensive and modified academic instruction, speech and behavioral therapy, behavior plans and social skills instruction.
Most therapies and services will be provided through a collaborative model in which therapists are active in the classroom setting, training and role-releasing to teachers and assistants. In cases where individual, pull-out speech therapy or one-on-one ABA discrete trials are warranted, Friends School will make arrangements for the implementation of that therapy. It is important to note, however, that Friends School is an inclusive program and advocates a collaborative approach to onsite therapies. Friends School will not bill insurance for these mandatory fees.
inclusion team
This team is supported by a number of Pathways and Inclusion assistants.
Our Inclusion Team is comprised of the following faculty:
Cheryl Schleuning, Assistant Head of School
Gina Saufnauer, Inclusion Supervisor
Jessica Rockhold, Pathways Coordinator
Tina Schneider, Resource Teacher
Jennifer Black, Director of Teaching and Learning; Resource Teacher
Dana Jokovich, Speech and Language Pathologist
preschool services
Friends School offers the following services to preschool students in need of support:
Targeted one-on-one assistance
Collaborative Speech / Language Support
Augmentative and Alternate Communication Support
Small Group Speech / Language Therapy
Feeding Therapy
Collaborative Behavior Support
Behavior Plan
Reinforcement Schedule / Plan / Delivery
Discrete Trial Training/ Functional Skill Acquisition/ Individualized programming/ Continual Progress Analysis/ 1:1 Instruction
Visual Schedules / Daily Checklist
Behavior Supports (Sensory Breaks / Sensory Supports)
Fine Motor Accommodations
Curricular Accommodations
Curricular Supports
Developmental Intervention
Elementary / Middle School Services
Friends School offers the following services to Elementary/Middle School students in need of support:
Targeted one-on-one assistance
Collaborative Speech / Language Support
Augmentative and Alternate Communication Support
Small Group Speech / Language Therapy
Feeding Therapy
Collaborative Behavior Support
Discrete Trial Training/ Functional Skill Acquisition/ Individualized programming/ Continual Progress Analysis/ 1:1 Instruction
Behavior Plan Development/ Implementation
Reinforcement Schedule / Plan / Delivery
Executive Functioning Supports
Visual Schedules / Daily Checklist
Resource Instruction in the area of Reading
Resource Instruction in the area of Mathematics
Resource Instruction in the area of Written Expression
Resource Collaboration in the Classroom
Behavior Support (Sensory Break / Sensory Supports)
Fine Motor Accommodations
Curricular Accommodations / Curricular Supports