Read About Reading Program
Heather Ridge utilizes an adaptive computerized reading intervention program
called Read About. Students access this program through their English
Language Arts classes ONLY. The Read About program meets the needs of every
student by combining the research based principles of expository text
comprehension and vocabulary acquisition with nonfiction content and
technology that differentiates instruction.
iLearn
iLearn Math is a web-based math curriculum that provides everything needed
to learn math. The instruction is delivered by “smart” software that manages
the entire instructional process. ilearn Math has a built-in assessment and
course management feature that automatically determines what instruction is
needed , delivers the instruction, and keeps track of the results. It gives
the user just the right amount of instruction and practice necessary to
insure understanding and retention of the concepts being taught.
www.ilearn.com/about-ilearn.htm
Thorpewood
Thorpewood is a non-profit organization that offers many programs helping
at-risk youths. Some of our male students have been selected to
participate in an outdoor education program that emphasizes self-confidence
and teamwork. This program takes place in the Catoctin mountains near
Thurmont, MD. Students so far have taken part in hiking and building
projects.
PBIS Program
PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports.
We are a committee currently consisting of teachers, Administration,
Therapists, Instructional Assistants. We would encourage others in the
community to be a part of this committee such as PARENTS, business owners,
bus drivers, anyone interested in the improvement of the behaviors of our
students.
PBIS is a school wide and almost a whole statewide program used in schools
to teach, support, and encourage positive behavior. Our student body at
Heather Ridge is unique because most of our students are brought to us for
behavior issues. For this reason it is challenging, yet rewarding when you
see the PBIS system work. We teach our mission with constant visual
reminders throughout the school on expected behaviors for specific areas. We
have a mandatory Social Skills class for every student where we teach
students self respect, communicating effectively and advocating for self
appropriately. We teach the character pillars, and numerous other useful and
admirable qualities the community would want and expect to see in a young
adult entering a world of college and or business employment. We use our
Daily Student Progress Sheet to show our students where they may need
assistance through out their day and in what areas they need support. We
offer bonus bucks to our students for an individual, positive behavior. Our
bonus bucks are used for a prize cart loaded with different types of games,
books, and interesting gifts to be used for themselves or others, we also
have Holiday carts. We have dances in which students purchase tickets with
their earned bonus bucks and respectful behaviors. We have contests, and
quarterly prizes that encourage the student to want to earn bonus bucks to
participate in these activities and it is the combination of teaching the
behavior and then rewarding the behavior that helps create the more positive
behaviors in our students.
Heather Ridge Garden
The Heather Ridge Ridge Garden was begun in spring 2006 by the the high
school Horticulture class. Seeds begin with grow lights during late winter.
We usually plant between 10 and 15 kinds of vegetables outside. The
fall maintenance and harvesting is done by the Environmental Science class.
The 600-square-foot garden is fully organic and we are now using the
shredded paper from school documents to mulch.
Pyramid Program
Beginning the 2008/2009 school year, the Pyramid Program and staff has moved to Walkersville High School.