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UHS PRE-VOCATIONAL LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM

View the Pre-Vocational Class Monthly Newsletter, CLICK HERE >>

Teacher: Leslie Lesperance
Paraprofessionals: Laura Burgess, Marilyn Jones-Barbosa, and Kenneth Horan
Room 125 - UHS
Telephone:  (508) 278-8634 ext. 7125

The Pre-Vocational Life Skills Program at Uxbridge High School is a special education program which is designed to meet the academic and prevocational needs of students who possess significant special needs requiring small group and individual instruction. A major focus of the program is to help our students attain academic, daily living, and pre-employment skills. Course offerings and materials are geared to students’ individual instructional levels, unique learning styles and interests, while following the course requirements of typical Uxbridge High School students. Where possible, students are mainstreamed into regular education courses and given academic support. MCAS assessment is conducted alternatively through a portfolio.

As part of the pre-vocational element of the program, students participate in simulated work experiences. Students may work in the Spartan Café. The café serves snacks and beverages to faculty and staff. Here, students learn about cooking, kitchen safety, cleaning, money use, and interpersonal relations. Students also work elsewhere at UHS in such positions as library aides, office workers, or guidance office assistants, cafeteria helpers, and maintenance workers. These simulated work experiences usually begin during students Freshmen and Sophomore years. Our students also participate in the UHS recycling initiative where they are responsible for paper and bottle recycling throughout the school.

A partial list of courses taken by pre-vocational students would include English, Mathematics, Daily Living Skills, Pre-vocational Social Studies, Science, Health, and Physical Education. In addition to the courses students take within the program and in the mainstream, students may receive services in the areas of speech and language, physical therapy, individual and group counseling, occupational therapy, vision services, and adaptive physical education.

Upon completion of their years in the Prevocational Life Skills Program, students most often attend the 18-22 year old program called the Independence Project.



Course Descriptions

PRE-VOCATIONAL ENGLISH
TEACHER: Mrs. Lesperance ROOM: 125
TEXTBOOKS: Picture Words by PCI, Starting Comprehension by EPS, Reading Comprehension in Varied Subject Material by PCI, and Explode the Code. Other materials will be utilized as needed.

COURSE GOAL: Students will increase their understanding of English language arts and improve their written language skills through the use of a practical English text. Vocabulary development and improvement of reading skills will be stressed.
HOMEWORK: Students will complete any homework or assigned projects. Homework is typically assigned three to four nights each week.
EXTRA HELP DAY: Wednesday
PROCEDURE FOR CONFERENCE: Telephone UHS (278-8634 ext.7125) or send a written note with student if conference is desired.

PRE-VOCATIONAL MATHEMATICS
TEACHER: Mrs. Lesperance ROOM: 125
TEXTBOOKS: Spectrum Math, Life Skills Picture Math, and Meaningful Math will be the main texts used. Numerous other texts, math games, and teacher-made materials will also be utilized to address the various needs of individual students.

COURSE GOAL: Students will increase their basic and functional mathematics skills.
HOMEWORK: Students will complete any homework or assigned projects. Homework is typically assigned three to four nights each week.
EXTRA HELP DAY: Wednesday
PROCEDURE FOR CONFERENCE: Telephone UHS (278-8634 ext.7125) or send a written note with student if conference is desired.

PRE-VOCATIONAL SOCIAL STUDIES
TEACHER: Mrs. Lesperance ROOM: 125
TEXTBOOKS: A variety of texts and materials are used including PCI's United States Government and Lifeschool 2000's Community Resource Binder. Newspapers, magazines and other media sources such as the internet and United Streaming are also used to supplement lessons.

COURSE GOAL: Students will gain a better understanding of their country and the world. They will become aware of their country’s history as well as happenings around the world and in their community.
HOMEWORK: Students will complete any homework or assigned projects. Homework is typically assigned three to four nights each week.
EXTRA HELP DAY: Wednesday
PROCEDURE FOR CONFERENCE: Telephone UHS (278-8634 ext.7125) or send a written note with student if conference is desired.

PRE-VOCATIONAL SCIENCE
TEACHER: Mrs. Lesperance ROOM: 125
TEXTBOOK: Health by Lifeschool 2000, General Science and Looking Good from Attainment's Life Skills Development series as well as other Science and Health related materials will be used.

COURSE GOAL: Students will increase their self-help skills as well as basic science skills.
HOMEWORK: Students will complete any homework or assigned projects. Homework is typically assigned three to four nights each week.
EXTRA HELP DAY: Wednesday
PROCEDURE FOR CONFERENCE: Telephone UHS (278-8634 ext.7125) or send a written note with student if conference is desired.

DAILY LIVING SKILLS
TEACHER: Mrs. Lesperance ROOM: 125
TEXTBOOKS: Life Skill Readers as well as Culinary Essentials will be the main texts used.

COURSE GOAL: Students will increase their skills of daily living. They will also become more aware of the career interests and aptitudes. They will gain pre-employment skills.
HOMEWORK: Students will complete any homework or assigned projects.
EXTRA HELP DAY: Wednesday
PROCEDURE FOR CONFERENCE: Telephone UHS (278-8634 ext.7125) or send a written note with student if conference is desired.

 

The Academic Support Center

The Academic Support Center (ASC) provides assistance and guidance to students needing additional services at Uxbridge High School. The ASC is staffed with two full-time special education teachers and four paraprofessionals who provide support services. With the implementation of inclusive practices at Uxbridge high School, students are able to receive many of their services and necessary accommodations directly in the classroom. Entrance criteria and exit criteria exist for student show receive services within the ASC. In addition, self-monitoring processes are in place as a means to connect how students meet standards and expectations as stated in the Uxbridge high School Mission Statement.

Other services offered through the Academic Support Center include but are not limited to: individual and group guidance counseling services, vocational/job placement skill development, organizational skill and study skill development - in an inclusive classroom setting.

For additional information regarding the Academic Support Center, please contact Uxbridge High School’s Main Office at 508-278-8634.

For additional information on detail course description, course selection, graduation requirements, grade computations and more, CLICK HERE >> to review and print the Uxbridge High School PROGRAM OF STUDIES GUIDE

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62 Capron Street
Uxbridge, MA 01569
Phone: 508-278-8634 / Fax:  508-278-8627