Glossary of Terms
Accessible Spaces	Spaces that are located near classrooms and open to use by students needing a quiet, calm and safe space to regulate.
Accessible Technology	Technology that’s been designed with the needs of a lot of different users in mind. Technology with built-in customization features so that the user can individualize their experience to meet their needs.
Age appropriate and Developmentally appropriate Resources	Resources that meet the age and developmental interests and needs of the student.
Assistive Technology	Technology that’s been designed to help a person with a disability perform a task.
Case Managers	The teacher who coordinates a student’s education programming. The Case Manager liaises with parents and others involved, ensures adaptations are used, writes the Individual Education Plan and monitors student progress.
Catchment Areas	The geographic area from which students are eligible to attend a specific school. This is determined by their home address.
Catchment Pathway	Each elementary and middle school has a designated school path for catchment students transitioning from elementary to middle and middle to secondary. If you are not living in-catchment, the student does not automatically follow the catchment pathway.
Diverse Learners	Neurodiverse learners and learners with disabilities.
Human Supports	Support from a specialist teacher, classroom based teacher, Indigenous Elder, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity advocate, or Educational Assistant.
Inclusion	A way of thinking and acting, grounded in the belief that, with the right supports, every learner can be successful in their classrooms and school. All students have an authentic sense of belonging in their school community and are supported to develop their full potential in the academic, social-emotional and physical domains.
Individualized and Personalized Planning	Planning that helps to guide, develop and document specially designed instruction for each student’s unique academic, social emotional and physical strengths and needs.
Neighbourhood Learning Centre (NLC)	Schools play an important role in their community. They are places where people of all ages can access education, health services, recreation and culture seven days a week, twelve months a year – places that promote the wellbeing of children, families and the entire community. As such, the Ministry provides funding for additional space that can be added to schools to promote school-community partnerships that use school facilities to better meet the needs of children, youth, families and the whole community. Neighbourhood Learning Centers (often referred to as NLCs) can provide space for community programming and educational opportunities for students, families, staff, and for members of the general public. Each NLC is developed locally through a collaborative approach that reflects the unique needs, assets and potentials of each school and community. The types of spaces seen in NLCs may include early learning hubs, a childcare, before and after school care, community theatre, senior and other community services, community meeting spaces, community kitchens, enhanced gymnasiums or athletics facilities, coordinated physical or mental health services, among many other examples. More information on NLCs can be found in
Net Zero	A net zero building is an energy efficiency building standard. A Net Zero building is one that only uses as much energy as it can produce from on-site renewable energy. The design strategy is first-and-foremost to reduce the energy consumption of the building through building design, including orientation of the building, efficient building form, enhanced envelope design (insulation, reduced thermal bridging, air/vapour barrier system design, glazing, sunshades), and through the use of energy efficient mechanical and electrical systems, and energy saving fixtures and appliances. The second major strategy is for the building to produce any of the building’s remaining energy needs through on-site renewable energy sources like air-to-air heat exchange, geothermal ground-source heat exchange, solar including photo-voltaic (PV) systems, and other sources if appropriate to the site.
Non-catchment student	A student that attends a school outside of the catchment school associated with their address.
Programs of Choice	Programs such as French Immersion, Secondary Sports Academies and Secondary Challenge/Flex Programs that are open to all students in the District to apply. Selection is based on an application process with specific criteria.
Prompt and accurate formal assessment of students	A standardized assessment that measures a student’s ability and achievement relative to a group of students the same age. This information may be required prior to a psycho-educational assessment.
Transition planning	Comprehensive planning and supports for students as they move from home or daycare to Kindergarten, from grade to grade, school to school, and from school to post-secondary or work.
Transitions	The progression when a student goes from elementary to middle school and middle to secondary school.
Work and/or ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Experiences	Real work experience for appropriate pay.