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 SMC Resources


Click on the links below for more information about St. Mary Central's resources.

Academic Assistance
Information about the role of a learning specialist and reading specialist, as well as an introduction to St. Mary Central's educational assistance professionals.

Information Media Center
Information about the mission and purpose of the Library / IMC and a list of helpful online resources.

Guidance Department
An introduction to the guidance personnel, information about how they provide assistance to students regarding both current and future academic concerns, and helpful links to a variety of high school and college-prep resources.



Academic Assistance

When a student experiences academic difficulty, his or her counselor may recommend assistance through the learning specialist or reading specialist. The need for such action may be indicated by grade reports, academic progress reports, referral by the parent, guardian or teacher, or by the student's own realization.

At St. Mary Central, we strive to help every student reach his or her full academic potential.

SMC's Learning Specialist
St. Mary Central High School has a full-time learning specialist available on a daily basis. Her primary duty is to coordinate the efforts of the classroom teacher, the student, the guidance office, school administration and parents, as well as to recommend strategies for improvement in study habits and classroom participation. The learning specialist assists students within the classroom setting, in study halls and non-instructional time, as well as before and after school.

Because students do not all learn in the same way, the SMC learning specialist works with classroom teachers to incorporate differentiated instruction and modifications or accommodations to meet the needs of every student. The learning specialist utilizes multiple strategies promoted by experts in the field of inclusive education and multiple intelligences.

Resources for the learning specialist include the the Green Bay Diocese, the CESA 6 Media Center, the Neenah Joint School District's Instructional Support Services, Wisconsin Assistive Technology Institute (WATI), and various private and public learning assistance agencies within the Fox Valley area.

Excellent home and school communication is critical to the success of this program. Learning Specialist Lisa VanCamp can be contacted at 920-722-7796 ext. 402.

SMC's Reading Specialist
In an effort to promote the highest level of academic success for every student, St. Mary Central offers a .5 credit elective course for individuals who will benefit from an Individualized Reading Plan (IRP). Eligible students are identified initially through standardized test results and/or teacher and parent recommendation. After the reading specialist completes a preliminary assessment, a customized reading plan is designed to address the student's reading education needs. The plan may include a combination of phonics, spelling, vocabulary enrichment and/or comprehension-building strategies.

SMC's licensed reading specialist, Karen Fahley, may be reached at 920-722-7796 ex. 204.


How can a Learning Speciaist Help

How a Learning Specialist Helps to Meet Students' Needs

  • Gathers evidence regarding a student's achievement, disposition, and proficiency, and collect appropriate data (past grades, achievement tests, information from teachers)
  • Consults with current and former teachers
  • Develops support plans for individual students
  • Creates goals for individual students
  • Teaches study skills and organizational skills
  • Helps students become independent
  • Assists students in class as needed
  • Assists teachers as needed
  • Helps students become accountable for their own learning by making them aware of their individual learning style
  • Monitors student progress and performs ongoing assessment
  • Participates in parent meetings
  • Provides resources for teachers
  • Conducts regular meetings with teachers, parents, and individual students to discuss student's progress
  • Assists students with projects
  • Facilitates study groups
  • Provides a positive test-taking environment

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Library / Information Media Center (IMC)

Mission Statement
The mission of the IMC is to help students, faculty and staff become information literate; to promote recreational reading; and to encourage all to become life-long learners.

Services Provided

  • Readers advisory--helping each patron explore new authors, media formats and genres
  • Research assistance--helping students develop efficient search strategies for information found in various media including print and online sources
  • Resource location--locating whatever the student needs, whether we have it or have to find it
  • Bibliographic instruction-- helping students to match the resource type with the information needed
  • Software troubleshooting--helping patrons solve those Microsoft glitches
  • Audio visual equipment--managing equipment including overhead projectors, boom boxes, VCR and DVD players
  • Student supply store--selling common items most used by students
  • Book purchases-- facilitated via Scholastic Book Clubs

IMC Research Resources

Careers


Homework Help Websites


Library Catalogs & More


Newspapers


Religion


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