Student Services

Student Services Department

The staff of the Student Services Department of the Portage la Prairie School Division provides specialized clinical services to students throughout the Division, as well as generalized supports to our administrators, teachers, educational assistants and parents.  Our primary role is to support our students in taking full advantage of the educational opportunities provided by the Portage la Prairie School Division.

Policies

I Instructional Program

J Students

Staff

The Student Services Department supports the students, staff, and parents of the Portage la Prairie School Division by providing a variety of specialists.  The Division employs a Director of Student Services, four Psychologists, six Speech-Language Pathologists, a Strategic Initiative Learning Coordinator, an English as an Additional Language Consultant, a Literacy Coach, a School Social Worker/Attendance Officer, an Outreach Facilitator, an Aboriginal Academic Achievement Facilitator, and an Aboriginal Language Teacher.

If you feel that your school-aged child requires the services of one of these professionals, you can consult with the Resource Teacher at your child’s school.

Objectives
The general objectives of the Student Services Department include:

  • Providing clinical services to meet the diverse needs of students
  • Assisting school teams in guiding and supporting the programming and planning for all students
  • Working closely with parents and school personnel to identify, assess and intervene to support students with speech and language difficulties, social/emotional problems and other learning difficulties
  • Promoting both an awareness and understanding among teachers and parents of the difficulties experienced by students through the provision of workshops, consultation and special programs
  • Working cooperatively with local agencies and community groups to establish effective community-based supports for students
  • Promoting prevention programs both within the school and at a community level

Director of Student Services

The Director of Student Services is Rochelle Rands. Her primary responsibility is to organize supports for students throughout the school division, particularly those with special needs. The Director of Student Services is also responsible for coordinating the following programs:

  • Aboriginal Academic Achievement
  • At-Risk Funding
  • Early Behaviour Intervention
  • Early Childhood Development Initiative
  • Low Incidence Funding
  • Unified Referral and Intake System (URIS)

In supporting students across the school division, the Student Services Department works with school principals, school support teams, parents and collateral agencies to identify need and explore solutions.

Rochelle Rands can be contacted at:

Portage la Prairie School Division
535 3rd Street N.W.
Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 2C4
E: rrands at plpsd dot mb dot ca
T: 204-857-8756
F: 204-239-5998

Strategic Initiative Learning Coordinator

Lisa Shackleton is the Strategic Initiatives Learning Coordinator for the Division. Her role is to provide leadership and direction to all aspects of curriculum development and implementation including instruction, program delivery, student assessment and reporting practices. She supports and works collaboratively with principals and teachers to improve the achievement of all students. The general duties of the coordinator include:

  • Assist the Assistant Superintendent with long-range divisional planning in the areas of curriculum implementation and instruction. Assist in the coordination and development of student assessment policies and reporting practices.
  • Coordinate and monitor provincial assessment training and collection of divisional data related to the Provincial Assessments and Early Development Inventory.
  • Communicate current research regarding a range of effective teaching and assessment practices through: reports at monthly administrative council meetings, resource/student services meetings, various committee meetings, or as requested at staff meetings, or by individual teachers.
  • Liaise with Manitoba Education and Advance Learning, in order to readily locate information and resources for administrators and teachers in the areas of curriculum and assessment. Represent the school division on provincial committees in the areas of curriculum and assessment as requested.
  • Develop, plan and monitor local and provincial grants: Middle Years Experiential Learning Grant, Basic French, Numeracy Grant, SmARTS and others as assigned.
  • Coordinate and/or deliver Professional Learning Opportunities for staff in the assigned grant areas and the Division Strategic Plan as they relate to curriculum and assessment.
  • Provide support and direction to resource teachers at monthly meetings in the areas of URIS, differentiated instruction practices, available resources, and assessment and reporting for students with special needs.
  • Coordinate training for teachers in URIS and WEVAS.
  • Meet with publisher representatives to stay current with curriculum materials and resources. Assist teachers and administrators in material and resource selections as requested.

Lisa Shackleton can be contacted at:

E: lshackleton at plpsd dot mb dot ca
P: 204-857-7861 extension 177
F: 204-239-5994

Psychologists

At present there are four psychologists in the school division. The role of the psychologist is to:

  • Assess students’ cognitive, behavioural and social-emotional development and identify their strengths and weaknesses
  • Determine students’ processing and learning strategies and identify teaching interventions that can improve their learning
  • Support and collaborate with school teams to develop and implement effective intervention plans that address behavioural, emotional, social and /or educational needs of students
  • Consult with parents, school staff, and other service agencies regarding their concerns about students’ mental health needs and provide information on specific mental health issues
  • Conduct risk assessments for students who may be a danger to themselves or others

Psychologist Assignments

Louise Lelievre:  École Arthur Meighen School, École Crescentview School, Oakville School
Karen Cormier: Portage Collegiate Institute, Behaviour Support
Maxine Mutcher: Fort la Reine School, La Verendrye School
Melanie Caister: North Memorial School,  Yellowquill School, Hutterian Schools

Speech Language Pathologists

At present there are six Speech-Language Pathologist in the school division serving city, rural and Hutterian schools. The role of the Speech-Language Pathologist includes:

  • Direct assessment of student’s speech and language disorders in order to develop in-school programs
  • Training and supervision of speech/language assistants who carry out the programs at each school
  • Training, modelling and establishment of communication systems/programming in regular and/or special classrooms (Learning Assistance Classes, Lifeskills)
  • Organization of timetables and groupings for the speech/language assistants
  • Presentation of in-service sessions for staff and parents related to speech/language and literacy issues
  • Direct language enrichment with small groups of students through the Aboriginal Academic Achievement program
  • Development of screening processes to assist with the early identification of children with speech/language difficulties
  • Collaborating with school teams, parents and collateral agencies to support students across the Division
  • Early years intervention (Welcome to Kindergarten planning, Preschool party)

Assignments for the Speech-Language Pathologists are selected to balance caseloads as much as possible.

Speech-Language Clinician Assignments

Brenda Curle: École Crescentview School
Alana Jack: Yellowquill School, Oakville School, Hutterian Schools
Lauren Becker: La Verendrye School, Portage Collegiate Institute
Marlaine Willborn: École Crescentview School
Hema Harrysingh: North Memorial School, Tupper Street Resource Centre, Portage Aboriginal Head Start, Preschool Wellness Fairs, BSSAP at North Memorial School
Andrea Verwey: Fort la Reine School, École Arthur Meighen School

Aboriginal Academic Achievement Facilitator

The Portage la Prairie School Division employs Jill Fast for 100% of her time as the facilitator for the Aboriginal Academic Achievement program to work with the Director of Student Services in this area. The facilitator provides an important leadership role in looking after the on-going support to resource teachers and classroom teachers regarding effective learning strategies for aboriginal learners. The facilitator assists in identifying professional development needs and tries to match those with in-service opportunities. The facilitator also assists with school and Division planning, and coordinates the annual Division report on Aboriginal Academic Achievement.

Jill Fast can be contacted at:

Portage Collegiate Institute
65 3rd Street S.W.
Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 2B6
T: 204-857-6843 ext 1071
E: jillfast at plpsd dot mb dot ca

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Jennifer Adamson is the EAL Consultant for the Division for 50% of her time.
She supports students whose first language is one other than English. There are many types of EAL students; those who are newcomers to Canada, or born in Canada to parents who speak their first language in the home, or children born in Canada whose first language is not English.

The support to new families includes:

  • Facilitate school registrations and intake meetings - arrange for interpreters when needed
  • Provide information about the new school community to the family
  • Describe support programs/services available from the School Division
  • Explain important school norms and rules, such as those outlined in the Code of Conduct
  • Explain schedules and procedures
  • Explain the School Division’s assessment process and reporting methods
  • Offer support to students and families when needed

Also, if you have pre-school aged children, please contact her for information on preparing your child for school.

Jennifer Adamson can be contacted at:

E: jadamson  at plpsd dot mb dot ca
T: 204-857-7861 extension 171
F: 204-239-5994

Literacy Coaches

Sandi Shaw-Lyons Grades 2-7
Jennifer Adamson - Grades Kindergarten-2
James Kostuchuk - Grades 7-12

They support and work collaboratively with principals and teachers to improve the literacy achievement of all students.

The support and collaboration may include:

  • Demonstrations, one-on-one coaching, professional learning groups, or grade groups
  • Providing content knowledge and resources about learning and teaching literacy including teaching strategies, assessment techniques, assessment of reading skills, interpretation of assessment results, and classroom routines and practices that promote literacy
  • To work with teachers to improve their evaluation measures of students' achievement
  • Research and prepare materials and information regarding a range of effective and innovative literacy practices through various activities including professional development workshops
  • Developing monitoring and evaluating school literacy plans and initiatives

Sandi Shaw-Lyons can be contacted at:

Fort la Reine School
36 13th Street N.W.
Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 2T5
E: sshawlyons  at plpsd dot mb dot ca
T: 204-857-7687
F: 204-239-5740

Jennifer Adamson can be contacted at:

E: jadamson at plpsd dot mb dot ca
T: 204-857-7861 extension 171
F: 204-239-5994

James Kostuchuk can be contacted at :

Portage Collegiate Institute
65 3rd Street SW
Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 2B6
E: jkostuchuk at plpsd dot mb dot ca
T: 204-857-6843 extension 1075
F: 204-239-5905

Numeracy Coach

Patti Lawrence is the Numeracy Coach for the division. She supports and works collaboratively with principals and teachers to improve the numeracy achievement of all students.

The support and collaboration may include:

  • Demonstrations, on-on-one coaching, professional learning groups, or grade groups
  • Providing content knowledge and resources about learning and teaching numeracy including teaching strategies, assessment techniques, assessment of numeracy skills, interpretation of assessment results, and classroom routines and practices that promote numeracy
  • To work with teachers to improve their evaluation measures of students' achievement
  • Research and prepare materials and information regarding a range of effective and innovative numeracy practices through various activities including professional development workshops
  • Developing monitoring and evaluating school numeracy plans and initiatives

Patti Lawrence can be contacted at:

École Arthur Meighen School
201 River Road
Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3W2
E: plawrence  at plpsd dot mb dot ca
T: 204-857-3405
F: 204-239-5943

Outreach Facilitators

Jane McArthur, Scott Thorsteinson, Michelle MacIver and Monique Clement are the Outreach Facilitators for the Portage la Prairie School Division. They supports students, families and schools throughout the Division. The Outreach

Facilitators' services include:

  • Maintain connections between home and school
  • Work with parents to assist in implementing positive structure and home routines.
  • Work collaboratively with school teams (principals, resource, guidance, classroom teachers and educational assistants)
  • Work collaboratively with RCMP, Child and Family Services, Community Mental Heatlh, Probation Services, Manitoba Housing, Employment and Income Assistance, Portage and Area FASD Coalition and the Portage Community Hub
  • Connect families to appropriate community resources
  • Develop summer programming opportunities for children and families
  • Provide individual and family counseling and programming where social, behavioural or attendance issues are impeding a student's educational progress
  • Accepts such other related duties as may be assigned

Jane McArthur can be contacted at:

La Verendrye School
500 7th Avenue N.W.
Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0A5
E: cori dot asham at plpsd dot mb dot ca
T: 204-857-3478
F: 204-239-5927

Scott Thorsteinson can be contacted at:
Yellowquill School
3000 Crescent Rd. W.
Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3C4
T: 204-857-8714
F: 204-239-5906

Fort la Reine School
36 13th Street NW
Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 2T5
T: 204-857-7687
F: 204-239-5740
E: sthorsteinson at plpsd dot mb dot ca

Michelle MacIver can be contacted at:

Portage Collegiate Institute
65 3rd Street S.W.
Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 2B6
E: mmaciver at plpsd dot mb dot ca
T: 204-857-6843
F:204-239-5905

Monique Clement can be contacted at:

École Arthur Meighen School
201 River Road
Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3W2
T: 204-857-3405
F: 204-239-5943

École Crescentview School
751 Crescent Road E.
Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0Y2
T: 204-857-3475
F: 204-239-5930
E: mclement at plpsd dot mb dot ca

Community Connector

Jasmine Mulvey is the Community Connector for the Portage la Prairie School Division. She supports students and families at North Memorial School. The Community Connector's services include:

  • Connects and builds positive relationships with all families
  • Establishes and maintains a parent/community room
  • Organizes and coordinates workshops for parents/community members on a variety of topics including nutrition, parent education, literacy/numeracy programming, awareness, basic computer skills, Aboriginal programming
  • Conductshome visits to meet with parents in their homes to offer emotional support and provide basic necessities related to family well-being and educational success
  • Helps maintain home-school connections and supports families in order to improve attendance concerns
  • Accompanies parents to meeting/appoints as required
  • Advocates for families and student needs with school staff, other service providers, and professionals as required
  • Assists with school-community planning, evaluation of activities and preparation of year end reports
  • Participates in events and activities related to the Community School Program
  • Preschool programming

Jasmine Mulvey can be contacted at:

North Memorial School
410 6th Avenue NE
Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0B4
E: jmulvey at plpsd dot mb dot ca
T: 204-857-4564
F: 204-239-5965

Mental Health Facilitator

Dana Geisel is the Mental Health Facilitator for the Portage la Prairie School Division. The Mental Health Facilitator's roles include:

  • Implementing and delivering a social emotional learning curriculum in Grade 4, 5, and 6 classrooms across the division
  • Building capacity amongst school staff to deliver SEL lessons
  • Supporting school staff in addressing the mental health needs of students
  • Working collaboratively with school teams and student services
  • Assisting schools in identifying and implementing a whole school approach to mental health promotion
  • Fostering connections between PLPSD and community based mental health resources

Dana Geisel can be contacted at:

École Arthur Meighen School
201 River Road
Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3W2
E: dgeisel at plpsd dot mb do ca
T: 204-857-3405
F: 204-239-5943

Resource Teachers

Assist school teams and parents in accessing supports for students.

École Arthur Meighen School – Tammy Pierrepont
École Crescentview School – Domenic Bruni
Fort la Reine School – Tanis Mauws
Hutterian Schools – Tannis Andrich
La Verendrye School – Pam Frank, Jennifer Borgfjord
North Memorial School – Faye Maly
Oakville School – Darren Reichert
Portage Collegiate Institute:
Angela Mills - Grade 9
Charlotte Mason – Grade 10
Darren Reichert – Grade 11
Marie Bertholet – Grade 12, Pre Employment Program
Yellowquill School – Megan Sloik, Traci Turko

Guidance Counsellors

Guidance Counsellors are assigned to all Portage la Prairie School Division schools from Kindergarten to Grade 12. The Portage School Counsellors’ Association also includes: Division Psychologists, Social Worker and Addiction Foundation of Manitoba Counsellors. Together, we organize programs with the Division to help foster the growth of all children.

École Arthur Meighen School – Paulette Rheault
École Crescentview School – Paula Neill
Fort la Reine School – Janey Bradford
La Verendrye School – Sheryl Ross, Maria Metzlaff
North Memorial School – Robin McCartney
Oakville School – Greg Burnett, Natalie Harrison
Portage Collegiate Institute:
Dana Pruden – Grade 9
Kim Tooth – Grade 10
Kellee Clifford-Bousquet – Grade 11
Marie Bertholet – Grade 12 and Pre-Employment Program (PEP)
Carol Stewart (Career Counsellor and Mature Students)
Yellowquill School – Lori Wood

Addiction Foundation of Manitoba Counsellor

Brenda Miller-Adams
Portage Collegiate Institute
65 3rd Street S.W.
Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 2B6
T: 204-857-6843 ext 11607

Betty Ryzner-Madsen
Counselor
Portage Middle Years School Based Services
9 Saskatchewan Avenue W.
PO Box 1160
Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3J9
T: 204-857-8353
F: 204-239-4860

Student Services Policies
IFD:  Programs for Students with Special Needs
IFF:  Individual Education Plans
IHA:  Early Identification

Student Services Documents

Appropriate Educational Programming in Manitoba:  Standards for Student Services (2006)

Online Support
www.rainbows.ca(largest international non profit organization committed to helping children and teens grow and grieve after loss)
www.kidshelpphone.ca
www.manitobatriplep.ca (Positive Parenting resources)
www.tsfrc.com (Tupper Street Family Resource Centre)
www.ruralsupport.ca (telephone and online counselling for farmers, rural and northern Manitobans)
http://www.friendshipcentres.ca/ (Friendship Centres)
www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/ (MB Public Health)
www.klinic.mb.ca/counsel-crisis.htm (Crisis line numbers)
www.anxietybc.com (Anxiety Information Website)
www.gov.mb.ca/fs/childfam/ (Child & Family Services)
www.gov.mb.ca/fs/childfam/for_sake_of_children.html (For the Sake of the Children)
www.abuseprevention.ca/services/ (Family Abuse Prevention Centre)
www.rootsofempathy.org (Roots of Empathy)
www.childfind.ca
reasontolive.ca (Manitoba Suicide)
afm.mb.ca/resources/fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder-fasd