Inclusive Education Program

• EA Support COVID-19 Safety Protocols
• Education Assistants (EAs)
• Inclusive Education
• Seed Grades 5-9 Program
• Seed Lite
• Seed Grad
• IE HCOS Loaned Computers
• IE HCOS Loaned Computers First Login - PC

EA Support COVID-19 Safety Protocols

Due to COVID-19 being with us for the foreseeable future, we will be working in a unique environment for the 2020-21 school year. Public health officials are encouraging each of us to do our part to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 where we work, live and play by following these health and safety guidelines: 

• If you’re sick, stay home. 
• Practise physical distancing (minimum 6 feet). 
• If physical distancing can’t be maintained, wear a mask. 
• Wash your hand frequently - minimum of 20 seconds with hot water and soap. 
• Avoid touching your face/eyes.

During COVID-19, online learning is the preferred method and should be considered. If online learning is not feasible, HCOS is preparing to provide in-person EA support to students/families in September with the following safety protocols in place. You will be notified of any modifications to the protocols below, should directives via Public Health and the Ministry of Education change.

Safety Measures for In-Person EA Support:

• EA daily self-health check - fever, dry cough, tightness in chest, extreme fatigue, etc.
• Check-in with the family the morning of a scheduled session to ensure that there is no illness in the home - fever, dry cough, tightness in chest/shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, etc.
• EAs are required to wear PPE in the form of a mask if physical distancing can’t be maintained. EAs are responsible for providing their own masks.
• Handwashing upon arrival and prior to leaving the student’s home.
• Sanitization of workspace prior to and after a session. 

Other Recommendations: 

• Consider hybrid learning - a mix of online and in-person learning.
• Engage in outdoor activities whenever possible.
• Use open space inside the home rather than small more enclosed space.
• Avoid sharing writing utensils or other learning materials.

EAs Working at Community Connections:

• The Learning Groups team is working to be creative, flexible and innovative to make learning happen as closely to what has been traditionally offered. Learning Groups come in a variety of shapes and sizes and the LG staff is working together with venues, facilities and coordinators to help ensure health and safety measures are met. The goal is to make any precautionary measures as routine and natural as possible.
• Please send any questions and concerns regarding a Learning Group activity to lg@onlineschool.ca and one of the LG team members will be happy to assist you. Please note which LG opportunity you are inquiring about.

Teachers will encourage their IE families to have disinfecting wipes/sprays available for use for high touch areas and workspaces. EAs are also encouraged to carry their own supply.

If you have concerns about possible exposure to COVID-19, call 811and monitor for symptoms. Please contact your IE teacher immediately. 

Thank you in advance for your part in helping to ensure that HCOS provides a healthy learning environment for students and Education Assistants.

Education Assistants (EAs)

The Ministry of Education has provided funds for the Distributed Learning (DL) Inclusive Education program for your child. It is a privilege to have an Education Assistant (EA) working in your home.  HCOS values the commitment that EAs make to students/families.

Parental/Guardian Expectations

• A parent/guardian is required to be present in the family home during EA sessions. EAs are not permitted to work in their own home with a student.
• EAs may work in a public setting like a library, if sessions are not feasible in the family home.
• Ensure that siblings are supervised during EA sessions to avoid distraction and disruption.  EAs are not responsible for the care/supervision of siblings that are not under contract with HCOS for EA support.
• Ensure the student is ready for services upon arrival of the EA, including having the necessary materials ready. 
• If the EA is also working with the IE student in the Home, supporting CC homework, the EA may receive paper copies in class or forwarded email from parents, unless special arrangements have been made to be included on the teacher’s email list.
• When an IE student is supported by an EA at Community Connections or a Learning Group, notify the EA, teacher, and CC Coordinator when the student will not be in attendance.

• The CC coordinator will have EA contact information and inform EAs in the case of unexpected CC closure due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. 

• EA supported students at Community Connections may not attend on-site if the EA is unable to attend and a substitute is unavailable. Please contact your IE Case Manager to see what can be arranged.

  • The EA is to contact the family, the CC Coordinator and the Case manager around absences.
• Inform the EA of sickness in the home in advance of the EA’s arrival.  A mutually agreeable standard should be in place around cancelling sessions when an EA, student or other family members are sick.
• Parents/guardians cannot dismiss an EA. They are a contractor of HCOS. If there are personnel related problems, contact your IE teacher immediately.

Education Assistants - Scope of Work

The Education Assistant is contracted to provide the following services, as requested by HCOS:

• Participate in the creation of the IEP, and if necessary, be available for collaboration on term reviews with the IE Teacher.
• Perform and comply with the duties listed in the IEP and with any other reasonable requests from HCOS administration considered to be normal relational responsibilities between the IE Teacher, the EA, the child(ren), and the parents/guardians of the child(ren).
• Collaborate with the IE Teacher/parent on the acquisition, organization and modification of instructional material.
• Be in weekly contact with the IE Teacher around student progress
• Attend EA meetings as required
• Give advance notice to the family and the IE Teacher if unable to complete their duties for a specific period of time (i.e., vacation, etc.).
• Create guidelines around provision of service pertaining to sickness of the EA, student or other family members.
• Follow the time-sensitive behaviour/incident reporting protocols.
• Collaborate with parents/guardians of the student in a respectful manner and as a team member.
• Prioritize the needs of the student.

Cancelled Sessions

It is vital that we are good stewards of the resources and people that are in place to assist in the education and support of students.

The following policies are in place around cancelled sessions. 

• Cancelled sessions are billable - hours per week as outlined in an EA’s addendum/invoice are billable if the session is cancelled or if session time is shortened by the parent/guardian. 
• Please be aware that if the student that the EA supports is absent, the EA is expected to attend CC and provide general support to the class.
• The EA is not obligated to reschedule a cancelled session. 
• EAs will use cancelled sessions for lesson preparation, completing student reporting in FileMaker, teacher communication, professional development and any other administrative type tasks.
• An EA cannot invoice for scheduled sessions that fall on a statutory holiday, unless those hours are worked.
• The EA must report all cancelled/shortened sessions on their invoice. 
• In the event of inclement weather where school is cancelled in the local school division and/or buses are not running, HCOS will deem it unsafe for an EA to drive. The scheduled session can be cancelled and hours invoiced.
• It is the responsibility of the Education Assistant to give a minimum of 24 hours’ notice for any sessions that must be cancelled with a student (outside of sudden illness or other unforeseen circumstances). Unless session time is rescheduled, these hours are not billable.

If there is a consistent pattern of cancelled EA sessions by the parent/guardian, this may result in the reduction or cancellation of EA services.

Invoicing

• The final day of EA services for any given school year is June 15.
• EAs do not provide services during the summer months.
• EA invoices are sent via email to parents/guardians mid-month. Parents are required to verify EA sessions and respond to the EA office with their confirmation of hours, or to report discrepancies.

Inclusive Education

Inclusive Education (IE) Program

Our IE Program works with students who receive additional funding to help build specialized programs that aid in their success as learners. Our diverse and robust program is made up of British Columbia certified teachers who specialize in IE education, Education Assistants (EAs) who work directly with students in home, an experienced office support team, and a wide variety of community-based support services throughout the province. If you would like more information on our IE Program, please visit this page: Inclusive Education.

Learning Support (LS) Program

We also offer an LS Program for students who are not designated IE students but would benefit from specialized planning and, where possible, some additional support. Some students may have learning challenges that are outside of IE designations; these include but are not limited to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, speech difficulties, giftedness, and written output delays. If you suspect your child would benefit from extra help and are seeking advice with regard to their learning, please contact your support teacher with your concerns. The support teacher will then contact our LS Team to discuss how best to offer support. For more information on our LS Program, please see this page: LS Program.

Individual Education Plan

In addition to a Student Learning Plan (SLP), which all students receive, students in our IE Division and some LS supported students also have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) that outlines specifically how their education program will be adapted to help them succeed. Teachers work closely with parents and other support team members to write the IEP.

Seed Grades 5-9 Program

Overview

Seed Facilitates a group experience in a creative environment under the guidance and direction of a HCOS Seed teacher. The Seed program brings students together with Google Workspace, including Google Classroom and many other digital resources, allowing EA or parent support to be given easily. The exciting and innovative virtual tools create expectations that encourage students to strive to reach their potential. Seed successfully captivates students, allowing them to learn at their own pace and through their personal interests. The virtual aspect allows pacing, technology in the place of handwriting, and robust support through EA and/or parents in the home.

Success

A high percentage of students move on from Seed to a Dogwood or Adult Dogwood, when it wasn't part of the original planning earlier in their academic schooling. Seed focus on building the core competencies, building on a student's strengths and teaching students how to self-advocate for support. Seed also helps students who want academic programs when Dogwood isn't the focus. Most students end up doing 2-3 years of the Seed program due to their huge growth, an increase of self-confidence, social skills, and even taking on leadership within the small group synchronous classes.

Vision Statement

In Experiential Design, the goal is that all learning (Seed) is planted deeply and given the opportunity to be rooted and grounded with solid comprehension. By fully experiencing learning practically and personally with authentic and meaningful projects wherein choice, collaboration, critical thinking, communication, and creativity are a part of the teaching pedagogy, students’ educational experiences will far surpass mere knowledge without experience. Learners will be filled up with the richest of opportunities to grow and blossom into who God has created them to be, and also be provided with meaningful interactions and experiences with the world around them as followers of our amazing, loving God.

Ephesians 3: 16-19 Amp.
May He grant you out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in your inner self, [indwelling your innermost being and personality], 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, 18 be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love]; 19 and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself].

2023/2024 SeedCourse Offerings

• Grades Five to Nine program covers five grade-level courses:

  • All courses are adapted unless previous arrangements are made with Seed Teacher, IE Teacher, RA and Seed Admin

    • • Adapted courses available for Grades 5 - 9

      • Applied Design, Skills and Technologies

      • Bible

      • Language Arts

      • Science

      • Social Studies

    • Grad - some students (modified) in grades 10-12 may be a good fit to join the grades 8 and 9 in Seed.  This can be discussed with the Seed teachers and admin - Steve Bastian.

    • Seed Grad for Credit - please click here for more information.

Benefits

The heart and soul of the Seed Program and the Seed Teachers is to love, care, and guide each individual student along their own path, fulfilling the academic and social goals of BC’s Modernized Curriculum. Through the guidance, inspiration, and support of the Holy Spirit, we, the Seed teachers, hope that the students will experience the knowledge of God’s love for themselves. Benefits of the program include:

• 1:1 support as needed on a weekly basis through regular meetings with Seed teachers on Zoom.

• Seed teachers work to build significant relationships with each of their students and caregivers.

• Social skills development within a safe group environment.

• Lessons are differentiated to support all learning styles, with multiple ways to present learning. 

• Students are prepared to be ready for the transition from Grade 9 to Grad through grade-level content and the development of the competency skills needed to be successful.

• Strong emphasis on growing and developing a student’s personal faith and service-oriented lifestyle.

• Interaction in Group Meeting Weekly in order to build relationships with others and gain confidence in oral skills. Literature Circles are great opportunities for students to practice sharing. Each student comes to meetings prepared to elaborate about their assigned role from a novel that is being read by the whole group.

• Safe Digital Citizenship and gaining increased technology skills.

• Efforts are significantly praised and struggles are supported with love and care.

• Formative Assessment to help students progress steadily.

• Goals and expectations are set to stretch according to where a student is in their personal journey in collaboration with parents, IE teacher, and other support.

Student Tasks

• • • ADST - Tynker, Scratch, Minecraft and Roblox Building Projects,, Digital Citizenship Course, Google Suite Tools for Education, Modules completed based on grade level Competencies, Content, and Big Ideas.

    • LANGUAGE ARTS - Novel Studies Complete with Literature Circle Meetings (3 Novels completed each year and the list will be supplied in advance so purchases can be made early in the year. The parent can utilize Encom funds for the novels. Best to get ordered using Amazon via order in Encom as the school has Amazon Prime and it  really reduces the costs of shipping.), Grammar developed through Grammaropolis for grades 5-7, Weekly Editing assignments, Shakespeare, Writing Development throughout the year using a variety of tasks including blogging, forums, collaboration with Google Docs, reports, essays, Passion Projects, Comics with Pixton, hands-on projects and much much more. 

    • SCIENCE - Virtual Interactive experiments, Hands-On Activities, Exploring the Scientific Method through completing experiments, Inquiry projects, Research, using Google Apps to chart Data, BrainPOP, Discovery Education videos, Gizmos from Explore Learning, and more.

    • SOCIAL STUDIES - Inquiry-based research projects for topics such as Turning Points in History, Discrimination in History, Google Earth Voyages, AR virtual field trips.  What in the World and The Canadian Reader are used extensively.

Class Connections

• Each new student will be connecting 1:1 for 45 - 60 minutes with the Seed Teacher for the first two weeks. After the first two weeks, the 1:1 schedule will be every other week. These time slots are chosen individually in consultation with the SEED teacher. As time is particularly booked to fit the student and teacher schedule at the beginning of the year, changes cannot be made during the year. If a meeting is missed, a make up time is not available, however, each teacher has Drop In office hours that a particular need can be addressed.
• Group Connections are on Thursdays and time is dependent upon grade level. “Woodlands” (grades 5 - 7) is at 9:00 and “Evergreens” (grades 8 and up)  is at 10:00. These meetings are almost every Thursday, but there are a few that are missed due to holidays or ProD with teachers.

  • All meetings are done via Zoom and the links for the meetings will be shared in September.

  • If a connection time is to be missed, please inform the Seed teacher; work due is still expected to be turned in on time.

• Dates

  • • • Onboarding starts September 9-20th
      • Synchronous classes begin the week of Sept 23-27
      • Nov 4-8: HCOS staff meetings
      • Dec 23-Jan 3: Christmas break
      • Jan 20-24: Report card writing for teachers
      • Mar 17-28: Spring break
      • April 28-May 2: HCOS Connect
      • Classes end the week of June 9-13

Technology & Resources Needed and Utilized

• Either a PC or Mac will work with all software and platforms within Seed
• Items Needed for all grades:
• Every computer being used for meetings needs to have either a built-in webcam and microphone or an external one. Video is an essential part of the program. (In order to be excused from using video in group meetings, it needs to be documented in the IEP and talked about with the Seed teacher to give an understanding of the reasons. Video in face-to-face meetings with the teacher is essential to build the relationship.)
• A Noise Cancelling or Sound Isolating Headset with microphone is a requirement unless a student is working in a completely quiet area. Distractions from background noises cause many students sensory and focus challenges.  
• A directional microphone.  Since many students are sensitive to distracting noises, having a quality microphone that won't pick up background noise is very helpful.
• Multiple Programs will be utilized at no cost or minimal within the lessons: Google Workspace Apps including Google Classroom, Read & Write, Important to use Chrome as the student’s browser for doing schoolwork, Wolf Quest, Fanschool, FlipGrid, PixtonEDU, Infographics, Screencastomatic, Zoom, etc. All instructions with significant 1:1 support will be provided as we use the programs through the year.
• Experiential Items are used in many lessons and practice. Your teacher will provide a list two weeks in advance of items needed and guardians are expected to purchase these items as part of their school supplies.  Eg. popsicle sticks, elastic bands, plastic bottles, play doh, cardboard, glue, outdoor supplies such as twigs, stones, leaves, pipe cleaners, beads, paper clips, pasta, water colour paints or markers, poster board, fabric, seeds, food colouring, salt, sand, model supplies, baking soda, vinegar, steel wool, salt, cabbage (purple), thermometer, magnifying glass...

Student Admittance Process

1. Only available to Inclusive Education or Learning Services designated students or recommended by Learning Services/Learning Coach. If you are unsure, please contact your case manager teacher to ask more about admittance.
   
2. The application form is completed by IE Teacher or LS Regional Administrator.

3. HCOS considers the privacy and protection of student information of utmost importance. We also hold the value of community and the relationship between students and teachers to be paramount. In an online learning environment, this is achieved primarily through the use of technology including, but not limited to: Zoom, Google Workplace, Google Classroom, and FlipGrid.

   These services, and others, allow our teachers and students to share information, share recorded class sessions and interact with each other at a distance. As such student names and faces may be visible in recordings shared with students and parents.

   Prior to participating in a class that may involve some form of recorded student presence we ask that you review our online session recordings policy and complete the question below.
   Online Recording Policy
   Please let you IE or LS teacher know that you agree with this policy for acceptance into Seed.

4. Please note, the course work is managed through use of Google Classroom.  Family and students must be comfortable with having a student account with Google.  Legal Guardians will be required to sign the school forms on the Google Student Policy.
5. Student and Family will be emailed a "Get to know you form" in order to gather further information and best ensure success/supports within Seed.
6. Seed is a 10-month synchronous program (September to June).  We require commitment for the 10 months, from a family, student, IE Teacher and EAs to ensure success. Students sometimes hit the "proverbial wall" and may require extra effort from the entire team to climb over and proceed to success in the program. We have seen students that remain committed to a whole school year are successful and return for 2-3 more years in the Seed program. These are celebrated moments of growth.  

Seed Lite

Description

Seed Lite is a small taste of the Seed program. It is available for grades 5-8 and is the perfect way for a student, family and teacher to see what is at the heart of Seed through an ADST Module with some of the extra support that makes Seed successful. The Seed Lite class uses tools such as Google Classroom as the LMS (learning management system) that allows for differentiation and tools such as Read&Write and Grammarly to be integrated into all of the students' work. Topics may include:

• Digital Citizenship
• Google Apps & Google Classroom - how to maximize your learning style
• Pixton
• Hour of Code
  
• Google Earth
• Brush Ninja and Google Slides

Mission of Seed

In Experiential Design, the goal is that all learning is planted deeply and given the opportunity to be rooted and grounded with solid comprehension. By fully experiencing learning through practical, personal and meaningful projects, students will develop critical thinking, executive functioning, communication skills and creativity. Learners will be filled up with the richest of opportunities to grow and blossom into who God has created them to be, and also be provided with meaningful interactions and experiences with the world around them as followers of our amazing, loving God.

May He grant you out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in your inner self, [indwelling your innermost being and personality], 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, 18 be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love]; 19 and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself]. - Ephesians 3:16-19 Amp.

Schedule 2023/2024

All Classes are on Wednesdays 9 am-9:45 am.
Dates of Classes:

January	31
February	7, 14, 21, 28
March	6, 13
No Classes during Spring Break	(March 18th - 29th)
April	3, 10, 17

**There may be cases where the schedule may need to be adjusted

Office Hours for extra help: Please contact your Seed Lite teacher and they will be happy to help!

Technology Required

• Laptop (PC or Mac) **Chromebook may work but may have some limited function**
• Webcam and microphone for the classes and individual help
• High-speed Internet (Capable of Zoom video feed)

How to Apply

The deadline to apply is January 22th. Your LS or IE Case manager must complete the application form. Please communicate with them. If you desire to communicate with Mrs. Beglaw or Mr. Gibson (Seed Lite teachers) to learn more details and see if this is a good fit for your student please email her to set up an appointment at sbeglaw@onlineschool.ca or bgibson@onlineschool.ca

This program is only available to Learning Services and Inclusive Education Students.

Students will be assigned a homeroom Seed Lite teacher (Mrs. Beglaw. Mrs. Stewart or Mr. Gibson) as their go-to for support and listed in Encom as the teacher of the course.

Seed Grad

Seed Grad offers two streams where students can build their skills and gain credits towards their Dogwood while working towards success in their Grad program years.

To sign up for Seed Grad, please contact your IE Case Manger, Grad Advisor or Learning Services support.

Overview

Seed facilitates a group experience in a creative environment under the guidance and direction of a HCOS Seed teacher. The HCOS Seed program brings students together with Brightspace and universal supports such as Google Workplace, Read&Write, Grammarly other resources, allowing EA or parent support to be given easily. The exciting and innovative virtual tools create expectations that encourage students to strive to reach their potential. Seed successfully captivates students, allowing flexibility and adaptations while working towards completing classes towards their Dogwood.

Success

Seed focuses on building the BC core competencies, building students' strengths and teaching students how to self-advocate for support. The Seed program sees growth academically, improved executive functioning skills, and an increase of self-confidence, social skills and students taking on leadership within the small group synchronous classes. 

Vision Statement

Within the experiential design model, the goal is that all learning (Seed) is planted deeply and given the opportunity to be rooted and grounded with solid comprehension. By fully experiencing learning practically and personally with authentic and meaningful projects wherein choice, collaboration, critical thinking, communication, and creativity are a part of the teaching pedagogy, students’ educational experiences will far surpass mere knowledge without experience. Learners will be filled up with the richest of opportunities to grow and blossom into who God has created them to be, and also be provided with meaningful interactions and experiences with the world around them as followers of our amazing, loving God.

Ephesians 3: 16-19 Amp.
May He grant you out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in your inner self, [indwelling your innermost being and personality], 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, 18 be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love]; 19 and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself].

2023/2024 Seed Course Offerings

• Humanities

  • Christian Studies 10 (details to be announced)

  • English 10 (Literary Studies 10 and Composition 10)

  • Social Studies 10

• Math/Science/ADST
  • Workplace Math 10
  • Science 10
  • ADST 10 (choice of Computer Studies 10, Electronics and Robotics 10, or Food Studies 10)
    
• Modified program students in grades 10-12 may be successful in joining grades 8 or 9 Seed programming.  This option can be discussed with Seed teachers in consultation Seed Administration and IE RAs.
  

Benefits

The heart and soul of the Seed Program and the Seed Teachers is to love, care, and guide each individual student along their own path, fulfilling the academic and social goals of BC’s Modernized Curriculum and Competencies. Through the guidance, inspiration, and support of the Holy Spirit, we, the Seed teachers, hope that the students will experience the knowledge of God’s love for themselves. Benefits of the program include:

• 1:1 support as needed on a weekly basis through regular meetings with Seed teacher(s) on Zoom.

• The building of significant relationships between students and teachers

• Social skill development within a safe group environment.

• Differentiated lessons to support all learning styles, with multiple ways to present learning. 

• Preparation for the transition from Grade 10 Seed to other Grad classes through grade-level content and the development of the competency skills needed to be successful.

• A strong emphasis on growing and developing a student’s personal faith and service-oriented lifestyle.

• Interaction in synchronous classes weekly in order to build relationships with others and gain confidence in oral and presentation skills.

• Safe Digital Citizenship and gaining increased technology skills.

• Setting goals and expectations personalized to where a student is in their journey in collaboration with parents, IE teacher, and other supports.

Class Connections

Individual Meetings
Each new student will connect 1:1 for 45 minutes with the Seed Teacher for the first two weeks. After the first two weeks, the 1:1 schedule will be every other week. These time slots are chosen individually in consultation with the Seed teacher. As time is particularly booked to fit the student and teacher schedule at the beginning of the year, changes cannot be made during the year. If a meeting is missed, a make-up time is not available; however, each teacher has drop-In office hours that students can attend.

Group Meetings
Group Meetings are on Thursdays - Details to be announced. All meetings are held via Zoom and the links for the meetings will be shared in September. If meeting links are changed throughout the year, they will be communicated to students via Brightspace and/or email. If a connection time is to be missed, please inform the Seed teacher; work due is still expected to be turned in on time.

Dates

• • • Onboarding starts September 9-20th
    • Synchronous classes begin the week of Sept 23-27
    • Nov 4-8: HCOS staff meetings
    • Dec 23-Jan 3: Christmas break
    • Jan 20-24: Report card writing for teachers
    • Mar 17-28: Spring break
    • April 28-May 2: HCOS Connect
    • Classes end the week of June 9-13

Technology & Resources Needed and Utilized

• Either a PC or Mac will work with all software and platforms within Seed

• Items Needed:

  • Every computer being used for meetings needs to have either a built-in or external webcam. Video is an essential part of the program. In order to be excused from using video in group meetings, it needs to be documented in the IEP and talked about with the Seed teacher to give an understanding of the reasons. Video in face-to-face meetings with the teacher is essential to build the relationship.

  • A noise canceling or sound isolating headset with microphone is a requirement unless a student is working in a completely quiet area. Distractions from background noises cause many students sensory and focus challenges. 

  • A directional microphone.  Since many students are sensitive to distracting noises, having a quality microphone that won't pick up background noise is very helpful.

  • Multiple software programs will be utilized at no cost or minimum within the lessons: Google Workspace Apps, including Grammarly and Read & Write. It is important to use Chrome as the student’s browser for doing schoolwork, Fanschool, Flip, PixtonEDU, Infographics, ScreenPal, Zoom, etc. All instructions with significant 1:1 support will be provided as we use the programs throughout the year.

  • Experiential items are used in many lessons and practice. Your teacher will provide a list two weeks in advance of items needed and guardians are expected to purchase these items as part of their school supplies. Eg. popsicle sticks, elastic bands, plastic bottles, play-doh, cardboard, glue, outdoor supplies such as twigs, stones, leaves, pipe cleaners, beads, paper clips, pasta, watercolour paints or markers, poster board, fabric, seeds, food colouring, salt, sand, model supplies, baking soda, vinegar, steel wool, salt, cabbage (purple), thermometer, magnifying glass etc.

Student Admittance Process

The Seed program is only available to Inclusive Education or Learning Services designated students or students who are recommended by Learning Services. If you are unsure, please contact your case manager teacher to ask more about admittance.

To be admitted to Seed:

1. Your IE Teacher or LS Regional Administrator will complete the application form. (Talk to your IE teacher, Learning Coach or IE Grad Advisor). 

2. The student and family will be emailed a "Get to know you form" in order to gather further information and best ensure success/supports within Seed.

Students must accept and abide by the privacy policy. HCOS considers the privacy and protection of student information of utmost importance. We also hold the value of community and the relationship between students and teachers to be paramount. In an online learning environment, this is achieved primarily through the use of technology including, but not limited to: Zoom, Google Workplace, Brightspace, and Flip.

These services, and others, allow our teachers and students to share information, share recorded class sessions and interact with each other at a distance as such student names and faces may be visible in recordings shared with students and parents. Before participating in a class that may involve some form of recorded student presence, we ask that you review our online session recordings policy and complete the Online Recordings Consent Form. When asked for teacher email, please use the Seed Admin’s email: sbastian@onlineschool.ca

Seed is a 10-month synchronous program (September to June). We require commitment for the 10 months, from a family, student, IE Teacher and EAs to ensure success. Students sometimes hit the "proverbial wall" and may require extra effort from the entire team to climb over and proceed to success in the program. We have seen students that remain committed to a whole school year are successful. These are celebrated moments of growth. 

Please feel free to contact Steve Bastian, the Seed Administrator, if you have any questions.

IE HCOS Loaned Computers

IE Loaned Computers

Inclusive Education loaned computers are the property of HCOS, and can be loaned to students for use for their education. Please communicate with your Case manager around details on ordering a computer for loan. 

Repairs

If your loaned HCOS computer is requiring repairs, please get in touch with your case manager and provide them with this information so they can request repairs for you.

• Make and Model
• Details (if possible, pictures/screenshots) of the problems you are experiencing
• Have all updates been performed
• Does the computer boot up, or fails in bootup
• Has the unit been damaged (spills, drops and etc)
• Have you completed backups of the computer to save student work
• Student Username and Password for logging into the computer

Time Machine Backups

For your HCOS Apple Computers, please use the supplied USB flash drive to create a backup (Time Machine) of your computer at least once a month. Here is a video on how to set that up. 

PC Backups

For your HCOS PC Laptops, please use the supplied USB flash drive to create a backup of your computer at least once a month. Here is a video on how to set that up. 

Windows 11

Windows 10

IE HCOS Loaned Computers First Login - PC

All new PC laptops from the IE Program are Lenovo's L14s with Windows 11. All Gen 4 versions have been sent out with Windows 11 with a modified login to help simplify the process and have the necessary software pre-installed. Below are screenshots and instructions for the login process. The most important aspect is NOT to connect to the internet until the set-up is fully complete.

1. Turn on your Lenovo L14 computer - please have it plugged in and charging for the setup process.
2. DO NOT connect to the internet when prompted in the set-up. Click "I don't have internet".
   1. If you do connect, Microsoft will require you to create or log in to a Microsoft account with your email and cell phone number.
3. Please click the "Continue with limited setup". You can always change the settings later if needed.
4. Type in the Student's Name.
5. Create a memorable password for the student's account.
6. Confirm the Password.
7. Add Security Questions (It will require three different questions with answers).
8. The L14 laptop has a fingerprint sensor; you may add that to the computer for a simpler login instead of needing a password each time. You may also choose "Skip for Now". The Sensor is the power button on the right side above the keyboard.
9. You will need to create a memorable PIN for your login. Please keep this number saved and safe.
10. The computer should now bring you into the normal Windows start-up. Once the computer has opened, you may now connect to the internet. We recommend the first thing you do is go into Windows Security and ensure Virus Threat and Protection is turned on and updated. 
11. If you have questions or need help, please contact tickets@onlineschool.ca for help.