In January of this year, SD8 Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) began their annual kindergarten speech-language screenings.

The screenings give staff an opportunity to meet with each kindergarten student to observe their speech and language skills, listening for developmentally appropriate speech sound acquisition, knowledge of basic concepts, ability to answer questions and describe with details, as well as any issues with voice quality and fluency.

The screenings take from 10-15 minutes per student. SLPs run through a screening protocol and have a short informal conversation. Once the screenings are complete, staff arrive at one of three conclusions:

1.  There are no concerns.
2.  The student should be re-screened. 
3.  A referral for a formal assessment is recommended.

If a referral is recommended, the school-based team starts the referral process by entering information into the district's digital forms and workflow software, Clevr, and parents sign a consent for assessment.

Re-screenings occur when the student enters Grade 1. The screening results are shared with families, kindergarten teachers and the school-based and district-based teams.

Kindergarten screenings take place in January of each year so that all students have received four months of kindergarten exposure and are five years old. If kindergarten teachers have concerns about specific students or there are students in their class who have received speech-language services prior to entering kindergarten, they are welcome to discuss an earlier start to speech-language services with the visiting SLPs.

Speech and language skills are foundational to a student’s ability to follow directions, understand the teacher, interact and play with classmates and to learn how to read. Inclusive Education staff appreciate kindergarten teachers’ flexibility in accommodating these screenings each January, as assessments rely on the teamwork of educators and specialists.

Thanks to each of our speech-language pathologists who work hard each day to support each child to reach their full potential:

• Shannon Carter, SLP
• Alison Gozna, SLP
• Lianne Johnson, SLP
• Steve Pierson, SLP
• Lisa Tremblay, SLP