Welcome to Virtual Mentoring.
This document outlines the agreement between your family and Notch Hill Learning. Please read, ask any questions you have and sign at the bottom.
Terminology:
OGP (Orton Gillingham Practitioner) – A certified educator, trained in using research-based methods to improve literacy skills in those who struggle to obtain them through regular classroom education.
Family – The unit of adult(s) and child that subscribe to Virtual Mentoring.
Helper – The adult that works with the child using the Notch Hill resources. It could be a parent, or it could be someone else.
What is Notch Hill Learning?
Notch Hill Learning is an independent virtual learning centre that supports families with children who struggle to read due to language-based learning differences like dyslexia.
What is Virtual Mentoring?
Virtual Mentoring is a parent-run program that is overseen by a certified Orton Gillingham Practitioner (OGP). The parent is responsible for pulling the content of the sessions together using the tools and directions provided by the OGP.
Acceptance into the program:
Acceptance into the program occurs after a family interview, and the child has participated in an online skills assessment. This process is intended to efficiently ensure that the program is a fit for the family. Decisions on which families are accepted into the programme are made by the Notch Hill Learning directors and are final.
Session Frequency:
The more you put into this programme the more you will get out. We recommend that you work on Notch Hill activities 3-5 times per week. If you use the programme less than twice per week on average, you will notice that there is very little improvement.
Session timing:
Full sessions are 45-60 minutes long. Review sessions are 15-20 minutes in length.
Communications:
Virtual Mentorship works when we act together as a team. The Family Portal is the place where we can share files and chat privately.
For us to track your child’s progress and modify the programme to best support your child’s needs, you are responsible for inputting data we ask for in the Family Portal. Failure to do so will impact our ability to customize the program for your child.
Payment:
Virtual Mentoring is a subscription program. There are two fee levels. Monthly and annually.
Leaving the programme.
Monthly: Members who pay monthly, may discontinue the program at the end of any month.
Annually: Members who pay annually, may discontinue the program at any time. They will be refunded to the next quarter. (March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31). For example, if the program was discontinued on February 15, March 30 to the end of your subscription year would be refunded.
If the directors of Notch Hill Learning determine that the programme is not a fit for a family due to:
- The family scheduling and then missing consecutive 1:1 sessions.
- The family consistently not providing sessions.
- The family not providing reporting information back to Notch Hill
Then Notch Hill Learning reserves the right to terminate a mentorship.
1:1 Sessions:
If you need extra help, you may schedule a 1:1 online session with us. These sessions are 60 minutes in length. (If your child requires a shorter session, please let us know.) The helper is required to attend the session so that the helper can observe how to overcome the hurdle that is being faced.
Confidentiality:
We will not share your child’s name or identifying features with anyone. Any permanent records that we are required to keep are kept securely and without your child’s name on.
We do not record sessions unless we have the parent sign a permission form first.
Abuse:
In Canada where Notch Hill is based, it is the law that if a child discloses abuse to us or if we suspect abuse may be occurring, we have to report it. This legal responsibility overrules our confidentiality clause.
Social Media:
Please feel free to follow us on social media. However, do not ask us to ‘friend’ your child, as this crosses professional boundaries.
Working Space:
Please ensure the working space is clean and clear of clutter. Manipulatives can be kept off to one side.
Your child will need to be sat at a table that is at an appropriate height, ideally with a chair that enables his/her feet to touch the floor. Swiveling computer chairs can be either distracting or helpful for children. If you use one, you will know pretty quickly whether this is good or not good for your child.