Programs & Services

Fleetwood-Bawden is proud to house a Montessori alternate program for students in Grades 1 through 5.  Although there are many similarities between our regular elementary classrooms and that of a Montessori classroom, some of the distinguishing features that make it unique are as follows:

• a teacher educated in Montessori philosophy and methodologies appropriate to the age level of the students; 
• a program which is characterized by the teaching of subjects in an integrated fashion wherever possible;
• a schedule which allows large blocks of time to problem-solve, observe and understand interactions and connections in knowledge to create new ideas; 
• a diverse set of Montessori materials, activities and experiences that foster physical, intellectual, creative and social independence; 
• multi-age classrooms to foster a sense of community.

The staff of Fleetwood-Bawden work closely with the Lethbridge Montessori Society to ensure quality Montessori programming and community support.

In the fall of 2011, Fleetwood-Bawden opened a morning and an afternoon Early Education Program. It focuses on language and speech development while meeting the physical, social, intellectual, emotional and creative needs of three and four-year-old children.

This program is provided to students identified by their teacher as slightly below grade level, particularly in reading. Students are pulled from various classes for ½ hour per day in order to receive extra instruction in this area.  Instruction for identified grade 1 and/or 2 students generally takes place in the fall and for grade 1 students from February to June. 

We are very excited to continue our school-wide breakfast program, which is available
to all students, if they chose, during the first 20 minutes of the day. All food options
follow the Canada Food Guide. Fleetwood has a food permit and our kitchen is
inspected regularly. Breakfast Program staff have training and follow all food safety
protocols.

The Lethbridge Food Bank also provides lunches to students as needed.

Thank you to Type 3 Homes for donating $10,000 in labor and materials to create a new kitchen to provide this service to students!

Speech and language services are available to students on a rotational basis.  Our speech assistant is overseen by a speech language pathologist from Children's Allied Health.  Students must be tested by a registered speech language pathologist to show qualification for speech services. 

Our Teacher Counsellor provides universal, targeted and individual supports. The Teacher Counsellor does not provide therapeutic counselling. The Teacher Counsellor acts as a liaison between home and school regarding counselling issues and connects families with outside community agencies as needed. Permission is required from parents/guardians for counselling support for their child.   

Our entire staff support students with social, academic and behavioral needs. When more in-depth counselling is necessary, a consultation is arranged with the school-based learning team to offer further counselling recommendations.

With permission and support from parents, the school-based team may refer a family to a Family Support Worker. The Family Support Worker (FSW) connects families with outside agencies and provides support in navigating community systems. The Division's FSW team supports all Lethbridge School Division's schools. The FSWs collaborate with the school and family to ensure that all children, youth and families have equal opportunities for healthy development leading to physical, social and emotional well-being.

Who do FSWs serve?

Family Support Workers support parents, guardians, and caregivers in a welcoming and compassionate setting.

How do FSWs serve?

Individual Supports

• Connection to community resources
• Supported referrals
• Advocacy
• One-to-One support for families

A district psychologist spends one half-day at our school each week. The psychologist is part of our school-based learning team to identify and support the implementation of necessary strategies, supports and services for students to be successful academically and socially/emotionally. 

All schools within the Chinook Health Region are assigned a health nurse.  Our assigned nurse has always been an excellent resource for promoting optimal health for staff, students and families through consultation and collaboration within the school and community.  The role involves a variety of activities and responsibilities, including:

• education support/resources; 
• prevention and control of communicable diseases; 
• consultation/case conferences/home visits for at-risk families; 
• liaison/referral to community agencies.

All Grade 5 students are immunized against Hepatitis B, which involves a series of three injections given during the school year. Grade 5 girls and boys are also immunized for HPV.  It is necessary that a student return a signed consent to the school in order to be vaccinated.

A Youth Engagement Officer connects with our school to establish positive relationships with students, support with safety programming in classrooms and is a valued member of our Violence and Risk Assessment Team if a student engages in worrisome behaviour. 

Lethbridge School District #51 trains teachers to deliver a special program on Human Growth and Development to students in Grades 4 and 5. Parents shall be advised, prior to the commencement of any human sexuality instruction, of their right to exempt their child.

Lethbridge School Division mandates health lessons on personal safety to be delivered to all students in division one and two. Teacher Training is provided. The goal of the units is to help children assume some responsibility for their personal safety by trusting their feelings, acting assertively and effectively in problem situations, and seeking help from within their support systems. For more information please visit www.kidsintheknow.ca