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Residence Program

The focus of the residence program is to provide a structured, supportive living environment that enhances learning, life skills, social skills and promotes independence and self-esteem.

Students are provided with social and recreational opportunities and are encouraged to participate in activities that develop interpersonal skills. Activities promote a sense of self-worth and are inclusive to everyone who wishes to participate regardless of their limitations.

Each student in residence is assigned a primary counsellor who works with the student and their family to develop individual goals for the year. The counsellor monitors progress, writes reports and gives specific support and attention as necessary to the students so they can achieve their goals.
The residence program is governed by a set of residential standards that ensure proper supervision, safety, program planning, advocacy and student rights are in place for all students.

Residence staff are qualified in the areas of child and youth development that can be attained at the community college level in courses such as Child and Youth Worker, Developmental Services Worker, Recreation and leisure leadership, child care worker, Intervenor training. In addition, we require staff to retain current certification in CPR and first aid.

Communication with families is always a challenge since our students reside all over the province. The residence staff contact the parents in September to introduce themselves and to discuss possible goals for the year. They also send out newsletters to parents during the year to keep them updated on events happening in the evening. Weekly communication through the use of communication books and letters is valuable especially in the elementary and deafblind programs.

Our residence program consists of six areas as follows:

Thornton Residence

Students in this residence range in age from 5 to 13 years. The elementary residence has recently been built. We have four independent living areas that house up to 10 students in each. They each have their own washrooms, lounge and kitchen space. This allows for a more home-like environment that is more conducive to teaching life skills. The students eat all of their meals in the residence. This allows them to assist with the preparation and cleanup and focus on social and life skills.

The students are involved in many recreational activities. They range from sports to baking and crafts. They are involved in integrated community clubs such as Brownies, 4-H and we use community facilities such as the library and the boys and girls club to give a well-rounded fun filled program.

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Brant Place Residence

Students in this residence range in age from 13 to 16. This is a dorm style residence with the boys living on the first floor and the girls living on the second. The building has had some renovation in the past several years so that we now have new washrooms and kitchens on each floor. These students have both the evening and breakfast meals in the residence. Recreational programs that are offered include baseball, 4-H club, horseback riding, bowling, swimming, ham radio club. Time is set aside each evening for a study hour. Students concentrate on homework or reading skills and are given support and guidance from the residence staff during this time.

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Wilkes Hall

Students in this residence range in age from 16 to 21 years. There are three floors in this residence. The girls are on the top floor and the boys are on the main floor. In the basement, we have an apartment style unit. The students live here to further develop their independent living skills with support from a residence staff. They are more actively involved in meal preparation and life skills.

The senior students have an active schedule and are expected to be as independent as possible. Activities include goalball, floor hockey, soccer, swimming, fitness programs, reading & craft clubs and hiking club. Students welcome community outings to the mall and the cinemas. Again, time is set aside each evening for a study hour. The students use both the school library and computer lab and the computers in the residence to complete their homework during this time.

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Mac House and Troughton House

The focus of Mac House and Troughton House is to provide the students with the opportunity to cope with their own independent living situation. The staff are very skilled and experienced in teaching life skills and organizational skills.

Mac House houses six senior boys and Troughton House houses six senior girls within a group home setting and developing the social skills that it entails. Students plan and prepare all of their meals, shop for groceries, do the housework and laundry.

The program concentrates on social skill development, time management skills, problem solving strategies, personal management of health and community involvement.

These programs are very popular and successful. There is always a waiting list for students hoping to participate in the program for a year.

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Independent Apartment

In the basement of Troughton House, we have a two bedroom apartment. Two students live here independent of staff. Staff are available to the students when they need support but they are encouraged to reside as independently as possible. This is the next step to independent living. Students usually move on to this residence after they have shown success in Mac House or Troughton House.

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South View Residence

Students range in age from 5 to 21 and have all been assessed as being deafblind. The residence works closely with the school program to provide a consistent approach. Residence staff are assigned a Module group which remains the same for a year. The module consists of three students and a teacher and 3 residence staff that rotate through shifts. This team in cooperation with the student and/or parents, develops and implements an individual program based on the student needs, interests and abilities.

An activity based program approach is used to stimulate language and motivation to learn. Each activity that is planned is focussed on skill acquisition and concept development. These activities include cooking, baking sports and recreation, crafts and community excursions.

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