Program Descriptions
Communication Development Program
300 West 154th Street
South Holland, IL 60473
Phone: (708) 596-2878
CD PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Communication Development Program (CD) serves children grades kindergarten through 8th who have speech and/or language deficits that interfere with their educational achievement in the general education setting and which cannot be appropriately addressed by a resource program, or other instructional program.
The overall goal of the CD Program is for each child to develop his/her speech/language abilities consistent with other skill areas so that he/she can be successful in the general education setting. Emphasis is on developing effective communication skills and teaching academic subjects through appropriate techniques and strategies.
Each CD classroom is staffed with a Special Education Teacher, a Speech Pathologist, and an Instructional Paraprofessional with the services of a program Social Worker and Occupational Therapist.
CD PROGRAM CONTACTS
Julie Balis - Program Principal
Colleen Sobczak - Assistant Principal
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program
300 West 154th Street
South Holland, IL 60473
Phone: (708) 596-2878
DHH PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) Program provides services to students from early childhood through high school who have hearing losses ranging from mild to profound. Both instructional classrooms and itinerant services are offered to students who reside within our member districts.
The instructional classrooms are located in the surrounding district schools. A certified deaf educator works with support services provided by a speech language pathologist, audiologist, social worker, psychologist and nurse. Instructional experiences will enhance each student’s individual understanding in the self-awareness, social and academic areas based on on-going comprehensive assessment. Specialized techniques, multi-sensory approaches, and experiential activities address the student’s individual needs. Interdisciplinary collaboration among all educational team members is crucial in providing the students with an integrated program. Techniques or combinations of techniques in speech, language, speechreading, auditory training, fingerspelling and signs are utilized during instruction. Our program utilizes scientifically research based curriculums including Direct Instruction, See the Sound/Visual Phonics and Fairview.
The Itinerant Program goals focus on the development of compensatory strategies. Specifically, a plan is developed to enhance the student’s speechreading and auditory training skills relating to home, school and community environments. Programming for these students is developed by a staff member trained in the education of the deaf and hard of hearing who functions as part of the home district’s educational team. Inservices about the implications of a hearing loss are available to the child’s classmates, teachers and the total school faculty. Diagnostic services are available to all districts through the referral system.
DHH PROGRAM CONTACTS
Julie Balis - Program Principal
Colleen Sobczak - Assistant Principal
ECHO Academic Skills Education Program
300 West 154th Street
South Holland, IL 60473
Phone: (708) 596-2878
EASE PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The ECHO Academic Skills Education Program serves students (3rd through 8th grade), who have multiple needs, often including cognitive, language, physical, health and/or vision needs. As a Low-Incidence Program, this ECHO Program provides service to students with complex disabilities throughout the 17 district South Cook region as their supported, yet least-restrictive, effective educational environment option.
EASE PROGRAM CONTACTS
Julie Balis - Program Principal
Colleen Sobczak - Assistant Principal