Complementary Educational Services

Complementary Educational Services facilitate students’ progress in their various learnings. There are four complementary student services programs:

• Support services designed to provide students with conditions that are conducive to learning;
• Student life services designed to foster students’ autonomy and sense of responsibility, their moral and spiritual dimensions, their interpersonal and community relationships, as well as their feeling of belonging to the school
• Counselling services designed to help students throughout their studies, with their academic and career choices, and with any difficulties they encounter;
• Promotion and prevention services designed to provide students with an environment conducive to the development of a healthy lifestyle and of skills that are beneficial to their health and well-being.

On this page:

• Students with Special Needs
• Individualized Education Plans
• Provincial Education Programs
• Work-Oriented Training Path (WOTP)
• SEAC and Parent Resources
• Drug Awareness and Resource Team (DART)
• Sexuality Education Content
• Speech and Language Services
• Social Work
• Early Admission Derogations
• Preschool Transition (Kindergarten)

See also:

• Special Education Advisory Committee – Governance

Students with Special Needs

The Western Quebec School Board is committed to supporting individual success for every student. We strive to promote academic and social inclusion. Students attend the community school, wherein a range of services and supports are available to address the varied needs. Each school organizes their special education services according to the needs of their school and within the guidelines of our policy on Special Needs (C-17).

• Learn more on the Special Needs page, which includes information on Inclusive Education Services

Individualized Education Plans

An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a plan of activities coordinated jointly by the people involved. Its purpose is to help a student who, because of a handicap or difficulties, needs adapted intervention in order to progress optimally in developing the competencies required for success. An IEP is part of a dynamic support process that takes place for the benefit and with the participation of the student. It is based on a systemic view of the student’s situation, and is implemented using a solution-centred approach.

• Learn more on the Individualized Education Plans page

Provincial Education Programs

The Quebec Education Program (QEP) offers a variety of learning programs to meet the diverse needs of our students. Western Québec offers all of these programs within its schools.

• Learn more on the Provincial Education Programs page

Work-Oriented Training Path (WOTP)

This educational pathway is unique because it is practical in nature and its main objective is preparation for the job market. It gives students the opportunity to experience success in different contexts through adapted instruction. The aim of the pathway is to help students construct their occupational identity, adopt behaviours and attitudes required in the workplace and foster their gradual integration into the work force, by offering them the opportunity to develop work related competencies in actual work settings. Students must be at least 15 years of age on September 30th. This pathway is available in all of our secondary schools.

• Learn more on the Work-Oriented Training Path (WOTP) page

SEAC and Parent Resources

The Special Education Advisory Committee for the Western Québec School Board represents the interests of children at risk or with disabilities and their families by providing advice and recommendations on policy, allocation of financial resources, the commitment to success plan and implementation of each student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP).

• Learn more about the Special Education Advisory Committee

Drug Awareness and Resource Team (DART)

DART refers to the Drug Awareness Resource Team.  DART is a harm reduction evidence-based support service that is available to the WQSB community. This is a service that promotes prevention and awareness and provides intervention as needed.  These services support students and schools with the complexities surrounding substance use. 

Our services support students within the elementary, secondary and adult centers as well as staff, parents/caregivers and community members.

Sexuality Education Content

Sexuality Education is a form of education that takes various dimensions of human experiences into account and covers a variety of subjects; knowledge of the body, body image, gender stereotypes and romantic feelings. It enables students to better understand themselves, establish emotional relationships that show respect for themselves and others, develop critical thinking and good judgement along with a sense of responsibility.

To provide students with sexuality education that covers all of the important issues, the Ministère give it a more formal place in students’ education. Therefore, since September 2018, the content defined by the Ministère is compulsory for elementary and secondary students at both private and public schools. This content is also available at the kindergarten level.

The various topics will be taught in an age-appropriate manner and instruction will foster the students’ development and make them less vulnerable to certain problems.

Speech & Language Services

Western Québec Speech & Language Pathology (SLP) Team assesses and treats elementary students who have communication problems that affect success in classroom activities, social interaction, pre-literacy and learning. Speech & Language Pathologists provide support for language development, speech sound development, fluency or stuttering, augmentative and alternative communication, and social communication.

Language and communication difficulties include:

• Slow development of vocabulary, concepts or grammar
• Inability to use different communication styles for different situations
• Difficulties understanding/expressing ideas, interacting socially, and learning

Social Work

Social Workers offer support to school teams, interventions with students and families, and as a liaison with community agencies. The goal of social workers in schools is to enhance the overall functioning and academic performance of students. School social workers collaborate with school teams to help students attain their full potential academically, socially and emotionally. 

Roles and responsibilities

• Consultation with school administrators, teachers, school support staff, and parents
• Short-term individual counselling and support to students
• Crisis response and intervention
• Group counselling for students
• Referral to outside services
• Collaboration with partners and community programs
• Publishing materials for parents and professionals
• Offering professional development for educational and community professionals

Online Resources

• Emotional and Social Support Resources for Students
• Student Ally Support Wakelet, with updated mental health resources

Early Admission Derogations

Through a process called “derogation” and under certain conditions, students identified either as advanced or as handicapped by the Ministry of Education can begin kindergarten or grade 1 early.

• Learn more on the Early Admission Derogations page

Preschool Transition (Kindergarten)

The school team, family and community, all play a key role in a child’s transition to school. This is a very important transition, as it signifies the beginning of the child’s educational journey and lays the foundation for future transitions.

According to the Ministry of Education, an effective transition is planned and carried out over a period of 12-15 months.

Our transition facilitator team has built a new website for parents and families called WQSB Transitions It can help you find information, tools, resources, and more to support you and your child successfully navigate their transition to kindergarten and beyond.

• WQSB Transitions website

Contact the Complementary Services Department