previously Special Education

Inclusive Education
SCIDES is an inclusive school that strives to provide a welcoming learning environment and experience for all learners.
If your child has special needs, they may not feel comfortable in a traditional school setting and homeschooling might be a daunting option for you. At SCIDES our online learning programming offers:
  • Flexibility in pacing and timing
  • Reduced sensory and social stress
  • Structured, accessible materials
  • Assistive technologies and adaptive tools
  • Consistent routines and predictable expectations
  • More personalized instruction
  • Safe, comfortable opportunities for anxious or easily overwhelmed learners
Our Inclusive Education Program supports students with diverse learning needs.  Our aim is always to ensure that all learners have access to the supports and services needed to enable them to access and participate in educational programs.
Once you register your child, one of our BC certified Teacher Advisors will reach out to help you plan for your child’s programming at SCIDES.  Students who require significant adaptation to their learning program and are eligible for an Inclusive Education designation through the BC Ministry of Education, will also be connected with our Inclusive Education Advisor to create a Competency Based Individual Education Plan (CBIEP) to fit the learners needs and abilities and set them up for success at SCIDES.
Please note: a designation in one school district does not automatically guarantee designation in any other BC school district.
 

Your SCIDES Support Team

On your SCIDES team will be:
  • Your course teacher(s)
  • SCIDES Principal
  • Inclusive Education Advisor/Case Manager
You may also be supported by:
  • Athlete Program Coordinator
  • Indigenous Student Advocate
*Sometimes Students with Disabilities or Diverse Abilities may require additional support and accommodations to enable them to access and participate in their educational program – for more details on supplemental services and resources – please review the letter from our principal, Dan Duncan in the next section.

Role of your Inclusive Education Advisor/Case Manager:
  • Support students and families with development and implementation of a Competency‑Based Individual Education Plan (CBIEP) through a collaborative approach
  • Advocate for student needs with teachers to ensure access to the adaptation’s students need in each course
  • Guide Grade 10–12 students through graduation planning process, provide updates on graduation progress and support transition planning for graduating learners
  • Assist families navigate SCIDES, plan learning pathways, and stay informed throughout the year

Supplemental Supports and Resources

Dear Potential SCIDES (South Central Interior Distance Education School) Families, Thank you for considering SCIDES. It is important to know that SCIDES is a public school funded by the Ministry of Education. SCIDES is dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible education that aligns with the standards and goals of all public schools in Nicola-Similkameen. Like traditional brick-and-mortar schools, we operate within the same funding structures and budgetary guidelines to ensure equitable distribution of resources to all students across our district. Our mission is to offer a robust and supportive educational experience while using our resources responsibly to serve each learner’s needs effectively. While families may have unique expectations for distance learning, we are committed to providing support that is equitable across the district. Noteworthy is that support in distance learning may look different from traditional settings. For example, we do not have Education Assistants (EAs) in our program; however, since SCIDES teachers are not in classrooms throughout the day, they are able to work with students individually, providing more personalized guidance and support. As we move forward, we are dedicated to transparency around available resources and to aligning these offerings with those across all Nicola-Similkameen schools. Thank you for considering SCIDES to meet your child’s educational needs. For additional information on our services, please feel free to reach out. We look forward to working with you on your child’s learning journey. Sincerely, Dan Duncan Principal S.C.I.D.E.S. Nicola-Similkameen SD

Online Resource Room

All Inclusive Education Learners will be enrolled in and have access to the resources in our Inclusive Education Homeroom. Students are required to review this homeroom with their home facilitator and/or parent(s)/guardian(s) in order to access supports and services offered at SCIDES. This homeroom should be your first stop once you are enrolled as it contains information about:
CBIEP Planning
  • Introductory CBIEP planning steps
  • IEP meeting booking
  • Self‑reflections and progress reports
Course & Transition Planning
  • Planning your learning pathway
  • Moving between grades or programs
Graduation & Post‑Secondary Planning (Gr. 10–12)
  • Staying on track for graduation
  • Writing your Literacy and Numeracy 10-12 graduation exams
  • Exploring your options after high school
Learning Resources - supporting your growth in:
  • Numeracy
  • Literacy
  • Healthy Living (mental, social, and emotional well‑being)
  • Learning Strategies and Adaptive Technology (How to Video’s)
  • ‘Mini-Meets’ – book sessions with your support teacher

Is SCIDES the best fit for me?

Here are some of the key benefits to online learning for Inclusive Education learners (and some challenges they may encounter):
Benefits:
  • Students in the courses can all engage with the course content at different times.
  • Courses do not take place in real time. Students are provided with content and assignments and given a time frame to complete coursework, exams and projects.
  • Interaction usually takes place through discussion boards, Feedback. E-mail, phone or virtual meetings.
  • There is no specific class meeting time in most cases
  • The teacher provides a sequence of units which the students move through as their schedule permits. Units might include things like assigned readings, video lessons, notes, learning guides, quizzes, discussions, workbooks, projects and more.
  • Teachers provide direct feedback online and are available for support by phone, email and to set up virtual meetings if necessary, during their assigned school/office hours
  • Students can access course content and complete assignments when it best suits their schedules.
  • Students can rewatch recorded sessions, lessons, or review materials to deepen their learning or to study for exams.
  • Students have more time to digest the content, this is a benefit for students who are deliberate thinkers, struggle with language, or need more time to process
  • allow students and families to work around unanticipated challenges such as falling sick for a week or dealing with family emergencies or travel plans
Challenges:
  • Students might feel less connected to an instructor when they are watching recorded sessions, videos or working on online projects.
  • Students might feel less connected to the course and their school when they do not see their classmates or interact daily with teachers
  • Students might put off engaging in coursework because they can always “do it later”
  • Online learning can require significant task initiation skills since none of the class time is scheduled, there is only pacing plans and suggestions; students and families are responsible for a ensuring daily work schedule.
  • There is often a higher level of commitment and independent learning skills required for success.

I have more questions!

Our Student Support Services teacher would be happy to connect with you and discuss learning opportunities at SCIDES for Inclusive Education Learners.

 

Valerie Grimshire