Argyle Secondary Choices Program
"Everyday may not be good but there is Something Good in Everyday"
Located in Room 183
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My name is Isla MacCarl and I am honoured to be your child’s Choices teacher at Argyle Secondary. I have previous experience running the Choices programs at Windsor Secondary and Handsworth Secondary. I also just completed my MEd at UBC in Human Development with a concentration in Social Emotional Learning. I am looking forward to working with you and your child in reaching their full potential as an Argyle student with Choice's support. I grew up and currently live in North Vancouver. I am a level 2 NCCP softball coach, I love to travel and I hike often to relax my mind. I strongly believe that communication is the key to a great parent-teacher relationship. I encourage you to contact me if you have any questions or concerns at any time. You can email me at imaccarl@sd44.ca or call the Choices room 183 through the office at Argyle Secondary.
About The Teacher
About our YEW
Every Choices program in the North Vancouver School District has a Youth Engagement Worker. Their job is to build and maintain lasting relationships with their students and the communities around them. They are a wealth of knowledge in community resources and can assist in students to access those supports if needed. YEW's are an intricate and vital part of the success of the students in the Choices program. At this time, the District of North Vancouver is in the process of hiring a YEW for Argyle Secondary.
Choices Team
From Top to Bottom:
Most Amount of Support to Least Amount of Support
Tier 3
Creating a Sense of Belonging
These students have a scheduled Choices block. Connection with Choices Team. Access to Choices classroom when needed. Case managed by Choices teacher. Potential extended community supports (Youth Outreach Worker, VCH, MCFD, counselling support).
Tier 2
Providing a Non-Judgemental Space
Counsellor:
Teacher with Masters level training
in counselling psychology.
Choices Teacher:
Teacher with additional training and
experience with social, emotional
behaviour learning
SEA: Special Education Assistant
YEW: Youth Engagement Worker
BSW: Behaviour Support Worker
YOW: Youth Outreach Worker
Argyle Choices Team:
Choices Teacher:
Isla Powell
YEW (Youth Engagement Worker):
TBD
BSW (Behaviour Support Worker):
Andy Thompson
Shannon Bennet
Choices Counsellor:
Sarah Gordon
Case Management
Coordinated support with enrolling teachers/Choices Team. Access to Choices classroom when needed. Fully enrolled in mainstream classes and do not have a scheduled Choices block.
Tier 1
Developing Relationships
Student has access to Choices Team, but does not have an enrolling/scheduled Choices block. Necessary check-in's by the Choices team happen throughout the year, usually by the BSW. These students are fully enrolled in mainstream classes and do not have a scheduled Choices block.
The teacher/counsellor who coordinates a student’s social/emotional/behaviour
program is identified by the School Based Resource Team (SBRT). This teacher/counsellor is known as the case manager. The Case Manager liaises with parents and others involved, writes the IEP and monitors student progress. The Case Manager for a student in Choices may be the Choices teacher or a counsellor. The Case Manager selection is based on student relationships and needs, staff expertise, and intensity of services
required. Identifications of R or H are sometimes recommended from the SBRT to help better support the student in their learning environment.
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Intake Meeting
Students entering Choices will be involved in an intake meeting that includes the student, parent/guardian and Choices team. Typically the Choices team includes: teacher, Youth Engagement Worker, Principal/Vice Principal and Choices counsellor. The purpose of the meeting is to provide a team approach, encourage student commitment to Choices, collaboratively define goals for the student, and discuss academic and behavioural needs.
The Intake Meeting will include:
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an introduction to the Choices team and their roles
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a discussion with the student regarding their challenges/needs, background
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information, school history and desired level of assistance
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identification of the core social/emotional/behavioural barriers that are resulting in the Choices referral
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a description of Choices and what it can provide
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an explanation of the tiering system and the goal of full re-integration in the mainstream program
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a review of the IEP process, goal setting and monitoring
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an expectation of student engagement with the Counsellor assigned to Choices students
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a review of a behaviour expectations
Required Documentation During Intake:
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attain/disclose information from/to outside agencies
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consent for identification in Ministry Category R/H (if necessary)
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consent for counselling: explaining limits of confidentiality
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consent for behaviour assessments
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consent for YEW / YOW involvement
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consent for Choices community based outings
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student contract outlining their commitment
Resources
"Foundry North Shore is a "one stop shop" where young people can find hope, help and support on Vancouver's North Shore."
"Vancouver Coastal Health provides health care services through a network of hospitals, primary care clinics, community health centres and residential care homes."
Text or phone a trained counselllor with any struggle you are going through and they will listen.
1-800-668-6868
If you are in crisis, or just need someone to listen, please call on us. Our youth outreach workers are trained to provide support, guidance and referrals in a non-judgmental way. Our goal is to make you feel safe, supported and respected.