Wednesday June 10 2015
The
Leader
▲ Shania Twain visits Surrey school 3
▲ Early crops for B.C. berries 10
NO CUTS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS, DISTRICT SAYS ▶ MANY PARENTS IN SURREY CONCERNED AFTER BEING TOLD THEIR CHILDREN MAY GET LESS CLASSROOM ASSISTANCE THIS FALL SHEILA REYNOLDS
▶ ON TRACK TO WIN North Surrey Secondary’s Nathan Tadesse takes the lead in the final lap of the 3,000m senior boys’ race at the BC High School Track & Field Championships at McLeod Park in Langley on Saturday. Surrey and Delta students hauled home medals in numerous events. See story on page 13. BOAZ JOSEPH
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school to be evacuated. A third said she was advised her Despite widespread concern that child’s hours with EA support would Surrey students with special needs be cut drastically unless she got a docwill receive less classroom assistance tor’s letter saying the boy (who has in the new school year, district offiautism) requires additional support cials assure there will be no cuts to in the classroom. That parent spends service or education assistant hours. hours advocating for her child, and Many parents of students with worries other parents won’t be able special-learning or health issues were to do the same. told by school staff in recent weeks However, the Surrey School District that their children would be receivsays the confusion about EA cuts ing less classroom support stems from two things: from Education Assistants a glitch in the computer(EAs) starting in Septemized government system ber. that isn’t yet showing the For example, Tina Keefe hundreds of new kinderwas initially informed that garten students entering daughter Madelyn, who has B.C. schools in September, a serious congenital heart and a miscommunication defect, would have her EA of the new system of doling hours cut from full-time to out EA hours to Surrey just eight hours per week. students. Rick Ryan She was subsequently told While the provincial govthe hours would be cut, but ernment’s student inforthat it remained unclear how much. mation system has deducted the EA “This concerns me greatly for my hours of the Grade 7s who are leaving child’s safety at school,” says Keefe, for high school, it hasn’t added in the explaining her daughter was born kindergarten enrolment numbers for with half a heart and has some devel- fall. That has resulted in an inaccuopmental issues because she’s spent rate picture – and, in many cases, an so much time in hospital. apparent reduction in total EA hours. “We depend on these EA hours not As for changes in EA hours for inonly for her safety – as she could go dividual students, Rick Ryan, deputy in to cardiac arrest at any time – but superintendent of the school district also for help in the classroom.” (previously the director of special Another said her son’s hours are also being reduced, despite the fact his behaviour once prompted his continued on page 4
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