Education Program: Teachers - Toronto's Ronald McDonald House


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INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS

When a child has to leave their regular environment for treatment for a serious illness, it can be very difficult not only for the displaced family, but for those left behind. As this child's teacher, I know that you and your class must be very concerned about your missing student, but you can still have an impact on their emotional and academic progress. By communicating regularly with this student and his/her teacher at Toronto’s Ronald McDonald House, you can prepare this student for success and minimize disruptions during a difficult and unpredictable time.
~ Katie Doering, TRMH Resident Teacher

How does a typical school-day run at TRMH?

As there is one teacher at the House and a variety of grade levels/abilities, the regular school-day is divided into age-grouped sessions. The daily school schedule is as follows:

8:45-10:15	Grades JK-3
10:15-10:30	Recess for All
10:30-12:00	All Ages
1:00-2:30	Grades 4-8
2:30-4:00	High School or Isolation Visits

“I felt the teacher did a tremendous job with student while she was gone from here [at TRMH]. She was thorough, professional and established an excellent rapport with her.”
~ Grade 7/8 Teacher

What curriculum is taught at TRMH?

globe and books Due to the variety of students in school here at TRMH from all over the world, it is impossible to cover the required provincial and national standards for each student. However, the teacher does attempt to cover as many required expectations as possible to ensure students do not fall behind.

All lessons and units taught at TRMH School are taken from the Ontario Curriculum. Each month, we work on different themes with the different age groups in the House.

Here are the curricular themes we are studying this [an error occurred while processing this directive]June with the students at TRMH:

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Grade	Language	Math	Science	Social Studies
Grades JK-3	Jack and the Beanstalk	Probability	Science Fiction and Fantasy	Mapping
Grades 4-8	Types of Writing	Algebra and Geometry	Science Fiction and Fantasy	Mapping
High School	Home School Assignments	Home School Assignments	Science Fiction and Fantasy	Mapping

By using the following link you can review the Ontario Curriculum to discover exactly what the student missing from your class is studying. Simply go to the following website, click on the grade level you teach and then the subject you would like to see:
www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/curricul/curricul.html

abacus In most cases, the reading, writing and mathematic curriculum is similar regardless of country or province. If you do find major discrepancies between the Ontario curriculum and the curriculum you are teaching, please call the TRMH teacher.

“The TRMH teacher provided very detailed assessments of work completed and outlined strengths and weaknesses."
~ Grade 6 Teacher

What happens when the student returns to your class?

school bus When students leave TRMH, an anecdotal letter, a curriculum checklist and any progress reports will be faxed to your school. These reports will indicate what the child has studied at the House and provide assessment marks. If you have any questions about this package, please do not hesitate to contact the TRMH teacher.

About a month following the student’s reintegration into your classroom, you will be sent a survey by the House in an effort to track the student’s progress. As this is a new initiative, we are very interested in seeing the emotional and academic impact of TRMH School on children.

What resources are available to assist me?

pharaoh As indicated on the teacher handout sent to you at your school, the Childhood Cancer Foundation Canada provides a Back to School Kit with a variety of resources for your use in the classroom. You can obtain this kit by contacting Rachna Rohatgi at 1-800-363-1062. Here are several other websites that suggest books and activities to share with your students:
   www.starbright.org/familyroom
   www.bravekids.org
   www.parentbooks.ca/cancer.html

The report sent to the home-school was “very detailed and clearly outlined content covered. Easy to follow and user-friendly. It was very beneficial for child to have the opportunity to keep up with work.”
~ Grade 1 Teacher

How can I make the absent student feel a part of my classroom community?

Here are some hints teachers have used successfully in the past: child

Put up a picture of the absent student in your classroom, refer to the picture during attendance
Send letters, e-mails or pictures to the absent student in your class
Send your students to the TRMH web-site to see pictures and artwork done by their classmate
Send major assignments to the TRMH teacher so the classmate can participate in your class' activities
If you have a school web-site post updates or articles about the absent child on the homepage (with parental permission)

How can I get in touch with the teacher at TRMH?

Due to time zone differences and in-class teaching, it is best to contact Katie Doering, the teacher at TRMH, through e-mail. She can be reached at If you do not have access to the internet, please call 416-977-0458 x442. The following times are the best for reaching the teacher – before 9:00am, between 12:00 and 1:00pm and after 4:00pm (all times Eastern). Faxes can be sent to 416-977-8807.

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