 BETAMARSH
ALTERNATIVE CLASSROOM
Betamarsh
Incorporated has developed an
innovative classroom experience that
allows students who are unable to
function in a conventional school setting
to grow and learn despite unresolved
issues. This program is based on the
melding of teaching and play therapy by
both treating and educating the whole
child. Specialized programs have been
designed in order to build an environment
that is safe, respectful and unique for
each student. The classroom provides
opportunities for students who have
mental health issues, addictions,
FAS/FAE, anger, behavioral issues,
bereavement and loss, have been
traumatized or need a temporary break
from the regular school system. A child
cannot learn and grow if there are
unresolved mental illness and behavioral
issues. By providing support and
individualized programs, along with a
safe environment, these issues can be
addressed in a gentle and positive
manner. A student-centered model has been
used to build individualized programs by
assessing each student’s interests
and strengths as well as if there are any
learning disabilities present.
Positive
modeling from school support workers, the
teacher and senior students plays a
significant role in each student’s
education. This is especially
effective because of the small
teacher/student ratio allowing for
effective individualized learning and
treatment.
All
members of The Classroom Treatment Team
have training and experience in
Education, Life Skills and Play Therapy
and are Educational Assistants, Child and
Youth Workers, Certified Life Skills
Coaches and Developmental Service
Workers. The Classroom Teacher is a
Certified Play Therapist. Specialists and
experts from the community work with the
Classroom Teacher so that specific
academic and social skills are integrated
into workshops in computers, horse and
stable care, leatherwork, drum making,
cooking, art and restaurant training.
Hands on activities such as these, enable
students to grasp and master learning
skills in reading, writing and math,
along with the practice and application
of skills in communication and
socialization.
Betamarsh
promotes and practices a treatment team
approach for all programs within the
agency. Communication between the
home and the classroom programs occurs on
a daily basis, with in-depth weekly
reports sent to each residence and to the
Director. This ensures that supervision,
support and monitoring are consistent in
the home and at school.
The
location of the classroom is instrumental
in its success as it allows access to The
Naftel’s Creek Conservation Area.
Aside from the obvious educational
benefits this holds, there is the added
advantage of experiencing a closeness to
and respect for nature and the space and
freedom this gives to each student.
Students are given the opportunity to
work and learn in a safe, predictable
environment where there are provisions
made for such things as ample personal
space, quiet and respect.
Individual
and group therapy, as well as Trauma and
Loss Counseling and Life Skill Education
Programs are available on-site.
Therapeutic Tutoring is a key component
of The Betamarsh Alternative Classroom
and is available to all students enrolled
in the program.
Therapeutic
Tutoring
Skills in social and academic areas
are addressed, along with identification
of individual strengths, interests and
challenges. Strategies and coping
mechanisms are built by applying problem
solving and goal setting techniques
developed by the student on the basis of
their strengths and interests. Skills
taught during Therapeutic Tutoring
Sessions and reinforced daily by members
of the Classroom Treatment Team include:
developing coping strategies, socially
appropriate behaviors, self control, goal
setting, improving social skills and
interactions, developing positive
relationships with peers and authority
figures within the school setting.
Students are given the opportunity to
practice these skills in small groups and
at the community school through
interactions with the students and staff
there. Students increase their ability to
finish tasks and assignments, take
responsibility for work and become
involved with advocating for their own
needs, along with planning their
educational future through meetings with
teachers, the principal and other school
staff. They are guided in developing
positive relationships within the school
so that they may eventually seek support
there. Through practical application the
student is taught the learning skills and
strategies that he or she need in order
to be successful in the educational
environment so that when these skills are
applied within curriculum guidelines,
participants are able to keep up
academically while meeting their
treatment needs. Full integration into
the school setting, along with
independence, is the ultimate goal for
those students who are able.
Why Was The Betamarsh
Alternative Classroom Developed?
Identified Issues
- Students dropping
out of school due to lack of
support for mental, emotional and
behavioral issues (e.g. FAS/FAE)
- Students in crisis
who need a short break from the
regular school system (i.e.
bereavement and loss, pregnancy,
mental and /or emotional
breakdown).
- Limited training
in life skills, employment and/or
character development.
- Lack of post
secondary learning opportunities
to accommodate disabilities
(specifically developmental
delays).
- Lack of
programming for students with
developmental disabilities.
- No alternatives
for students who have been
suspended or expelled from school
either short or long term.
- Students being
bullied at school and, as a
result, have been re-traumatized
and are too fearful to return to
school.
- School Phobic,
Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder, Social
Phobias, Victim Reactive
Behaviors, Sexual Acting Out,
Self Harming Behaviors, Risk
Behaviors, Depression, lack of
motivation and other issues that
prevent the student from learning
and being able to attend the
regular school system.
Betamarsh
Alternative Classroom
Betamarsh Alternative Classroom has
space for six full time students and two
part time students from Grades 1 through
12. The classroom works hand-in-hand with
the community school that the student is
registered with to ensure that academic
requirements are met and that the student
is part of a regular community school.
Each student is given the opportunity to
return when ready to be part of the
regular system. Both school systems
support this program.
Vision
To provide every participant the
opportunity to meet academic, life skill
and employment goals with success,
through a framework promoting positive
attitudes, values, ethics and
self-esteem. This vision can be achieved
through an alternative classroom at
Homestead that will honour each student
as an individual and noble being.
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