Autism Program Room 115

Welcome to Room 115 

Dear Families, 

I am thrilled to welcome your children to Room 115 as we embark on another exciting school year together! My name is Mr. Sabatini, and I will be your child’s teacher this year. In Room 115, we are fortunate to have a dedicated team of educational assistants and specialists, including a Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, and Physiotherapist, who will be supporting our students. 

Our Approach: 

In Room 115, we celebrate the individuality of each student, recognizing that everyone has their own unique way of learning. To cater to these diverse needs, I will be incorporating a variety of teaching methods—visual, oral, and kinesthetic—ensuring that each student has the opportunity to succeed. My goal is to create a joyful, nurturing, and inclusive learning environment that encourages growth and fosters a love for learning. 

Our program is designed to embrace and respond to the differences among learners, each with their own strengths, needs, and pace of development. The classroom will feature a mix of play-based learning centers, small group activities, flexible groupings, and teacher-guided experiences, all tailored to support your child’s individual learning journey. 

Learning Through Play: 

We believe in a child-centered approach to education, where learning is driven by play and positive relationships with caring adults and peers. Play-based learning is key to developing imagination, creative problem-solving skills, confidence, self-esteem, and a positive attitude toward learning. Your child will have many opportunities to engage in play, which we view as an essential part of their development. 

Inclusion in School-Wide Activities: 

In addition to our classroom activities, your child will also have the opportunity to participate in certain regular class activities such as gym and music. These are wonderful opportunities for our students to enjoy movement, rhythm, and social interactions. As the year progresses, we will explore additional class activities that your child might find enjoyable and beneficial, further enhancing their school experience. 

Individualized Education Plans (IEPs): 

In early October, I will be meeting with each family to review and further develop your child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP). I strongly believe that family involvement is crucial in this process, and I look forward to working together to ensure the best outcomes for your child. IEPs will be updated and reported on three times throughout the year, in alignment with the Provincial Report Card schedule. 

Our Daily Focus: 

Our daily routine will include activities that develop functional, adaptive, and social skills: 

Functional Academics: Applying reading, writing, and math skills to everyday life. 

Communication Skills: Understanding and using both verbal and nonverbal language. 

Self-Care: Building independence in dressing, grooming, and feeding. 

Social Skills: Encouraging sharing, taking turns, making friends, self-regulation, and understanding personal space. 

To support self-regulation, we have incorporated quiet times into our daily schedule and created calm spaces within the classroom where students can take breaks as needed. 

Staying Connected: 

We will be using Seesaw as our primary means of communication. Please make sure you are connected to your child’s Seesaw journal using the Seesaw app and your child’s home learning code. If you need any assistance with this, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. 

I am looking forward to an amazing year of learning and growth with your children! 

Warm regards, 

Mr. Sabatini 

Robertson School – 204-589-4745