Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board
Special Education Services – Support, Inclusion and Success!
Special Education in the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board includes the provision of a broad range of programs and services, to support inclusion, and to help all students achieve success and reach their full potential.
The impacts of these supports can be life-changing. Recent graduate Rob Kartisch credits the Clarington Central Secondary School special education department for starting him on a transformational journey, the impacts of which will continue well into the future.
“In Grade 9, I used to skip school, get suspended, yell in the hallways,” said Rob.
Special Education Lead Teacher Julie Paige described Rob in Grade 9 as ‘very disengaged’.
“He didn’t like school. He didn’t want to be here,” she said. Julie spent a lot of time with Rob in the Resource Room. It took a couple of years, but he finally started to see what he could do, and what he could be.
Many aspects of Rob’s life have changed over the past four years. As he became more engaged in school, he also became healthier and more active. Gym used to be one of the classes he skipped most in Grade 9 and 10. Since then, he has lost over 100 pounds and has become more involved in fitness programs.
“If it wasn’t for the help of Ms. Paige and everyone in the Resource Room, I don’t know where I would be… Now, I’m going to graduate and I’m going to college,” Rob explained last school year.
We’re excited to share this video about Rob’s journey and amazing story. It was produced last year as part of our Director’s Annual Report.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Chris Oliver
Rob is currently considering his post-secondary path, including options such as behavioural psychology or working with students with special needs. Julie sees a bright future for Rob. “I don’t think he ever anticipated having such huge success, and he is re-evaluating his future goals to be bigger than he initially thought possible!”
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