Special Programs
Academically Gifted (AG)
Accelerated Learning Program (ALP)
Cross-Categorical (CC)
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Speech
Academically Gifted (AG)
The Academically Gifted program serves students who are identified as performing significantly
above expectations for their age, experience, and environment. Instruction focuses on problem
solving, self-directed learning, effective oral and written communication, individual investigations,
and self-analysis of strengths, needs, and academic potential, which correlates with the
North
Carolina Standard Course of Study. See the
Wake County
Academically Gifted Program for additional information.
Teachers:
Beth Chappell - AG Testing and Procedures
Kitty Rutherford - AG Curriculum and Instruction
Accelerated Learning Program (ALP)
ALP at Salem Elementary provides additional reading and writing instruction to supplement
each student’s classroom learning. Laurie Ann Harvey works with students in grades K-2.
Stacy Bigham works with students in grades 3-5. The program will include structured lessons
for certain identified students in a small group setting.
Throughout the school year, parent workshops will be offered. In these workshops, strategies and ideas for you to help your child at home will be presented. Watch The Salem Salamander News for dates and times.
Teachers:
Laurie Ann Harvey, ALP II K-2
Stacy Bigham
with Sonia Venugopal*
, ALP I 3-5
* teacher assistant
Cross-Categorical (CC)
The Cross-Categorical program serves children identified as developmentally delayed or
mildly to moderately disabled including behaviorally or emotionally handicapped, autistic,
and learning disabled. CC is a collection of self-contained programs that utilize a
developmental approach combining early childhood teaching principles with special education
strategies and techniques that help meet each student's needs as documented in the
student's Individualized Education Plan.
Teachers:
Track 1 Brenda Guenther
Track 2 Cherie McMichael
Track 3 Pennie Gibson
Track 4 Lori Haynes
Track 5 Lynda Brown
Mary Ann Walker* and
Pat Godfrey*
* teacher assistant
English as a Second Language (ESL)
ESL at Salem Elementary is a pull-out program; ESL students stay with their regular teacher
for most of their academic subjects and come to the ESL teacher for English instruction at
least four times a week. The ESL department serves as a resource for teachers, students and
parents.
Learning experiences in the ESL classroom include the use of:
- Picture dictionaries,
- Magazines,
- All types of books,
- Word games,
- Total Physical Response,
- Songs,
- Poems,
- Chants,
- Textbooks,
- Computer programs/Internet experiences,
- Lots of hands-on activities,
- and many other strategies.
Teacher:
Gloria Arriagada
Kristi Arriaga
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Occupational therapy services are provided for students at Salem Elementary who have been
identified as being able to benefit from special education and also as having functional
needs that might reduce their opportunity for success in the educational setting.
OT helps students adapt to the educational setting to maximize the benefit of special
eductation.
Occupational Therapist:
Tamika Dopson
Speech
The speech therapist serves children with
articulation, language, fluency, and voice disorders. Children with these
problems who are impacted in the classroom socially and/or academically are sent to the Student
Support Team. If the team recommends an evaluation, then the therapist provides the testing and
then meets with the parents. An educational plan may be written. Once therapy begins, it is
important for the children to practice at home to improve progress. A speech folder is provided
with activities to practice.
Speech Therapist:
Debra Scott
The blackboard icon
()
indicates that classroom information such as
announcements, homework, Web resources, etc. is available on blackboard.wcpss.net. The icon is
a link to the class announcements. If a login is required, you may obtain
the login information from your child's teacher.