Notre Dame de Sion students and faculty praying together.

Student Support

Sion believes strongly in developing the whole child and preparing them for success in life, which includes support beyond the classroom.

We have full-time staff members dedicated to helping our students with their individual needs – from those with learning differences to social emotional support or an illness during the school day.

Inclusive Learning

Notre Dame de Sion Grade School supports students with diagnosed learning differences who are eligible for limited accommodations to experience success in the classroom.

Individual Accommodations Plans

While Notre Dame de Sion Grade School cannot create Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), the school can create Individualized Accommodation Plans (IAPs) to address a student’s academic areas that would need support. Students with an IAP will be served in the following ways:

Supported Learning Accommodations

Extended test time
Separate testing room
Preferential seating
If your student has a study skills class in their schedule, your student will receive periodic guided instruction in study skills, organization and executive functioning.
Small group support in the Learning Resource Center to address specific learning needs that have been identified in the student’s Individual Accommodation Plan.
Additional accommodations recommended in a neuropsychological or psycho-educational evaluation will be considered.

The diagnosis of a learning difference does not automatically result in a student receiving academic accommodations.

Unsupported Learning Accommodations

Curriculum modification
One-on-one class instruction
Modified assessments (shorter version of the assessment)
Oral tests/quizzes/exams or assignments
Support of a Behavior Interventionist

Notre Dame de Sion students smiling arm in arm.

Inclusion Learning Specialist

Heather Foose
Inclusive Learning Specialist
Masters of Science in Special Education – Curriculum and Instruction

Heather Foose leads Sion’s inclusive learning program and works with families during their transition and duration at Sion. Heather’s passion is working with families to support them in accessing resources that students need to be successful in their academic endeavors. She enjoys helping students to find confidence in their personal strengths and supporting them to be self-advocates and active and self-determining members of their communities.

Contact Heather: hfoose@ndsion.edu

School Counselor

Emily Achberger HS ‘02
School Counselor

Emily Achberger is a Sion High School Alumna, has a Master’s Degree in Counseling and provides services to our students and their families. She works with our CARE team to deliver the SEL (Social Emotional Learning) course focused on helping our students develop essential life skills related to understanding and managing emotions, persevering, building positive relationships, making responsible decisions, and developing empathy.

Full-time School Nurse

Amy Uffendell GS ‘89, HS ‘93
Nurse

Amy Uffendell attended Sion Grade School and High School and is thrilled to be back at Sion as the full-time school nurse. She addresses the needs of children during the school day who are sick, need medical attention, or assistance with medications.