Wow! It’s already been a month of operating from our new location and what a month it’s been! Now that we’ve achieved registered school status, Roadways Academy offers a full course-load for our students, ranging from Grades 1-9, including the addition of classes like Fine Arts, Phys. Ed., Career Ed. and Practical Arts. The kids have been hard at work and are adapting well to their longer days; more time to fit in both learning and fun! Walking down the hallway at any point of the day, one can appreciate the smiles and laughter of students and teachers alike, as well as the the scritch-scratch of pencil on paper, or click-clack of computer keys.

            This October, we wanted to take a moment to recognize Dyslexia Awareness month and the upcoming Mark It Read Day, organized by Dyslexia Canada. Did you know dyslexia is estimated to affect 15-20% of the population? That means, in a typical classroom, roughly 4 to 5 students will experience more difficulty when it comes to reading, writing, and understanding classroom material. Dyslexia affects one’s ability to identify and process sounds, as well as how one’s brain is able to decode and comprehend language. For students affected by dyslexia, keeping up with schoolwork can be immensely difficult and advocating for oneself can be even harder! At Roadways, we’ve been working to make learning easier for our students while advancing their reading, writing, math, and comprehension skills. Smaller class sizes, working towards mastery at their own pace, and using helpful technologies like text-to-speech and e-books have made all the difference for many of the kids we work with on a daily basis. Learning might be different for our students, but each of them is able to soar with the right tools and proper care and attention.

            This October 15th, keep those with dyslexia in mind and wear red to show your support! Though there are frequent hurdles for dyslexic students and adults alike, the support of friends and family can make all the difference to an individual who struggles with reading or writing. Take care and remember to mark it read!