Students with complex needs will be among those populating Rutherford Elementary School when it re-opens next school year.
As of early May, the north-end school's enrolment sits at 250 students and at the May 28 Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools board meeting, trustees voted to place the Resilience, Inclusion, Skills and Engagement program at Rutherford in September. According to a staff report, RISE is intended to offer "highly specialized support in a small group setting." As there "is a small group of learners … who experience high levels of distress in a large group setting and have not been able to develop peer connections or develop a sense of belonging in their current school communities."
Jacquie Poulin, assistant superintendent of elementary schools, told the board the cohort is anticipated to be between 10-12 students in the Grade 4-7 range. The program is still a work in progress, she said, but it includes two rooms, with one to be used for more of "a sensory self-regulation type of space," for students that need to have a break.
"Another room will be set up more … like a space where you do more of your academic learning … One of the classrooms that's right next door, that will have some other programming in, will have a kitchen space in it. So there's some life skills, or some opportunities there," said Poulin. "They can do some cooking and some sensory types of things."
Trustee Tania Brzovic spoke in favour of the motion, saying it will benefit students with special needs.
"As I reflect on my own childhood, and what inclusion was like for me, I would have benefited from a program like this, and I would have been one of the kids who wouldn't need to be there for a full year probably, but … having a place to go while still being in the environment of school … that would have made a world of difference for me, socially, emotionally, in so many ways," said Brzovic.
According to staff, an inclusion support teacher will be placed at Rutherford and educational assistant support will be needed as well.
Staff are expected to provide a program review to trustees by June 2026.
