The Bridges Program
 Photo by Rebecca Linderman |
| Jack Wigle is having fun learning! |
The Bridges Program at Holy Cross is made up of students that range from the age of 14-18 years old. There are currently 15 students in the program, led by 1 teacher and 11 educational assistants. These dedicated staff members work to help ensure each student reaches their optimal potential.
 Photo by Michelle Cross |
| Chad Lees gets messy during Grade 9 Orientation! |
The Bridges Program is constantly changing. The ministry, board office, and staff members here at Holy Cross work on continually improving the program with the students as their number one priority. Recently the main goal has been integration. Not so long ago, students in the Bridges Program were segregated from the rest of the student body at Holy Cross. Now we have made it possible to integrate students from the Bridges room into different classrooms combined with the rest of the student population. The Bridges students also eat lunch in the same cafeteria as everyone else, giving them the opportunity to feel involved with their fellow Crusaders. Holy Cross also has what is called the “Best Buddy” program, which also ties into the integration process. A student from Holy Cross is paired up with a student from the Bridges room. That student acts as a mentor for the other. Weekly they meet within the school for lunch and to hang out, and monthly they go on outings outside of school to the movies, bowling, etc. This way the Bridges students can have a friend outside of the Bridges room, which in turn makes them feel included and involved within the rest of the student body, and not feel so isolated and confined.
Photo by Michelle Cross |
| Justice Burke is enjoying Grade 9 Orientation! |
A typical day in the Bridges room entails assisting all of the students with each aspect of the day. In the morning the educational assistants help get the students off of their buses, and in the afternoon assist them with getting back on. Each student works at their own level, with a different individual education plan made specifically for the student. Each student learns at a different pace and academic level so many students work separately with an educational assistant who implements their individual education plan into their everyday work. Our Bridges Program here at Holy Cross prepares the students for life after high school. Many of the students participate in co-op, which gives them the opportunity to work within the community, and gain employment skills as well as social and money management skills. These experiences give them a taste for life outside in the real world after graduation.