Special Education
The Resource team at Bear Creek Elementary consists of a resource teacher, a school social worker, an occupational therapist, a communication specialist, a school nurse and several paraeducators. This team provides services to students identified with special needs through a legal document called an Individual Education Plan (IEP) that is mandated within the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This plan outlines individual students' needs as well as specific goals and objectives that are carefully aligned with state standards for education.
Students receive support for a variety of reasons, which may include learning challenges, speech and language difficulties, physical and/or emotional disabilities. In some cases, Bear Creek services students who have been identified as being both gifted and learning disabled. Depending on the recommendations of the staffing team, children may receive additional support from the school social worker, the communication specialist and/or the occupational therapist.
Special education programming accommodates children's needs in what is known as the "least restrictive environment" (LRE). That is, students are provided with support services in their regular classroom whenever possible. However, in some cases, children may need additional or alternative instruction to improve their skills. If this is the case, they may come to the resource room for individual or small group lessons. The resource room is also a good place to receive extra support with schoolwork and to learn additional academic or behavioral strategies.
The values that drive special education programming at Bear Creek focus on identifying students' strengths and using these strengths to improve academic weaknesses. The primary goal of these support services is to help students reach their academic potential in all areas. In addition, students are encouraged to develop independent thinking and learning skills and to take responsibility for themselves as learners. In the intermediate grades, they are also encouraged to become familiar with their learning styles and to advocate for themselves when necessary.T
Meet our Special Education & Resource Teachers
In BVSD we are dedicated to supporting every student so they ultimately become successful adults, who are engaged in our community. We begin with differentiating instruction for every student and then work with students and parents to provide additional accommodations, modifications and services for those who need it.