Temenos has been operating since 2016 as a classroom for high school aged youth who have FASD. It is run in partnership with the Waterloo Regional District School Board (WRDSB) and located in WRDSB’s alternative education site in Waterloo.
Temenos classrooms are an environment designed to help youth with FASD thrive. There are six students in each classroom, and it is equipped and designed to accommodate their sensory needs. Academic instruction is provided by a WRDSB teacher that focuses on numeracy and literacy and is tailored to the leaning strengths and needs of each student at their learning stage. An academic pathway, including the acquisition of credits is individualized and agreed upon by student, teacher, and parent/caregiver.
We have a team of child and youth workers who provide extensive emotional, behavioural and practical supports to each student so that their day is successful. We support and help prepare youth and their families for life after Temenos. There is a social skills and life skills curriculum including volunteering and work co-op opportunities provided with individual support.
The classrooms follow a curriculum with therapeutic components including mindfulness training, music therapy, nature therapy and Emotion Focused therapy. Youth also have access Carizon’s counselling services.
Temenos does not end at the end of the school day. A family support worker is available to parents/guardians of Temenos youth to help them find the help they need in the community and to provide advice and coaching on the various aspects of parenting a child with FASD.