The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutThe Huron Expositor, 1987-09-23, Page 2020A-- THE HURON EXPOSITOR, SEPTEMBER 23, 1987 Board seeks solution to drop -outs By Shelley MePhee•Haist It's the start of another school year, and M Huron County the board of education has renewed its mandate to reduce the student drop out rates. " This past year the drop out rates from the county's five high schools tallied in at 147 students. The figures sh6w that fewer Students dropped out of school than in the year previous when 170 failed' to complete ' , • their schooling. Of the lower figures, Bob Allan, education' director noted, "The trend is,encouraging as drop out rates have decreased." " • ' A ekiser-examin-ation of -figures on-arrin- • dividual school basis shows for 1986-87 ( with 1985-86 figures in brackets): Central Huron Secondary Sch'ool 43 (44); F.E. Madill Secondary School 28 (37); Goderich District Collegiate :Institute 28 (35 ) ; Seaforth District High School 13 (15); South Huron DistrictHigh School 35 (39), " The majority of students who drop out of school 'are, between the ages of 10 and 18. They. leave . for various reasons including employment opportunities, lack of interest, behavior problems or no definite plans. The HCBE has undertaken a nuinber of in- itiatives tp address the special needs of yanng persons, - sebonclary • day school sttidents,•drop .outs, adolescents at risk and adults who have not found a successful tran- sition from school to employment. Many of the HCBE initiatives are being run as pilot programs in various schools and have earn- ed support and enthusiasm from the Ontario Ministry of Education. • Drop Out Survey . A comprehensive drbp out survey wah conducted by the HCBE during the I985-86 school year and continued through the'cur- rent school year. The survey included inter- views; personality assessments and opinion surveys gathered from drop outs and school staff. A dual -scaling analysis was conducted to correlate findings in the personality, in- ventory with history of • school attendance, special education and other background factors. The survey process will continue for the next three years. Alternative Secondary Education Proposal • • The principal and staff at Centraftiluron .. Secondary School (CHSS)in Clinton deter-, mined a 'need for an alternative school set- ting to meet the needs of disaffected students who have left full time schooling and, have not yet found employment, A pro- gram would see students in a community- based work placement with 'supplementary guidance and counselling support. While the program has met with board ap- proval, insufficient student interest has prevented the new pilot project from proceeding. Alternative Secondary Education Proposal The principal and staff at Central Huron. Secondary School CHSS ) in Clinton deter- mined a need for an alternative school set- ting to meet the needs 'of disaffected students who have left full time schooling and have not yet found employment. A pro- gram would see students in a community- based work placement with supplementary guidance and counselling Support. While the program has met with board ap- proval, insufficient student interest has, prevented the new pilot project from proceeding. Adult Re-entry Program CHSS has been the setting for a successful program that is seeing adults go back to school. The program, worked in part with Conestoga College and Employment and Immigration Canada, sees courses being of- fered • to adults . who are seeking career changes and upgrading. The program started with 15 students and now approval has been granted 'to add an additional 10. Mr. Allan said that the additional seats were given in part because of the closing of the school factory in Seaforth and the need to provide re-training programs to workers there. Job Entry_Programs. The HC13E worked in partnership with Employment and Immigration Canada to offer a work placement/education program for young persons who did not make a suc- cessful transition into employment after leaving secondary school before graduation. This program has led to the exploration of alternative secondary educational settinga throughout the HCBE jurisdiction. TieS to Business and Industry. The education board in cooperation with the Ministry. of Education has, initiated. a pilot venture at Goderich District Cellegiate Institute (GDCI) to explore links and rela-• tionships with its industrial 'and business community, It focuses, on those students who are seeking employment rather than continued attendance in the school setting. •• • COmmunity•Job Training Survey The HCBE is an active partner with Einployment and linmigration Canada in a • comprehensivecounty study to determine skill training, re-training and educational upgrading—needs''foi the label market in zon . . •Adult Liteeacy Pregrams • Adult literacy programs are, offered through the continuing education process. These programa are provided in response to community.demand: In one community the program, operates on a' one-to-one tutoring basis in a local church basement; in another, community volunteer programs have bee.n organized, by secondary sehool staffers. • Accommodation for Basic • Level Students. Several special initiatives . have been .cleveleped-to aid -high need students, many of'Whom are not exceptional pupils but are considered to beat risk. In one high school a '"homeroom model". has been established to .cielfver modified programs. In four high, schools teaching • assistants have been added to the staff porn:- plerrient in support of high need students. ' • Cooperative Education This . successful program has seen ' 'students taking on emplpyment oppor- • tunities in their commtirfities aS part of their course of studies. Hundreds of students are taking part in this joint effort being con' ducted by the HCBE the Ministry of Educe: - tion and Employment and Immigration Canada. HCBE education director Bob Allan Said„ 'It's a big exercise that' has really gone well. I haven't talked M one student who hasn't been excited about this.' Youth Centres in Secondary.Schools Cooperation • between secondary school staff and fworkers 'from Centresthe't.v,,„ i•• • • • • p. for Children and Youth has led to the • establishment of &school based counselling station for youth. • . • Youth Support Worker. A youth support workerhas been hired to Work on a full time basis in partnership in • the guidance 'department at CHSS. The pro- ject is supported financially by the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services. Alternatives to Suspensions Two secondary schools have'embarked on systematic programs to, devise constructive interventionsfor significant disciplinary in- fractions as alternatives to suspension from • school, Some of these includeindividualized ' work education or educational • contract programs. , . ' Other Programs Other HCBE programs include. peer counselling, self-worth counselling groups • for students, and partnerships with, the HCBE and social,. health and judicial agen- . cies to . act collectively in supportive in- terventions for young persons at risk: , • The KBE further ha.S suggested to the Ministry of Education that additional sup- portfor programs such as the ones that have been .dbveloped in the local school system could be coMptementedt3i• several -changes at the provincialand federal government levels. • It has been suggested that teacher con- tracts should: be. given more flexibility to allow employment for any mutually agreed- . period'. This would help to facilitate any new. • projects or short term programs. that might be initiated: The HCBE has further suggested that' a Ministry of Youth be established bY the pro- vincial gpvernmehts in an effort to co- ordinate programs now being undertaken for young people by several agencies. Mr. Allan noted, ,'We made the comment that adolescents need the • kind of cooperative support which the government tk..134,:„f1 ^ +' • . • has recently identified for the, elderly." Another issue that concerns the HCBE direeter of education is the lack of support • from federal programs. He noted, "It is a bureaucratic nightmare for a rural school board to provide needed service'to Canada Manpower through a community college." • -r-z. HELPING OUT around the Seatorth Public SchOol this Suinther were Brenda JeSSOrne (left) and Joanne Vanloon. These grade eight girls volunteered their services to take care of the flower beds around the school. In appreciation the students council took them out for a dinner, Corbett photo. S BRIAN i, SI SEMINAR "Invest for Success" Thurs., Oct. 1/81 7:30 p.m. IIENSALL & DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE 113,011% -/—BANK-01-. CANADA 7 BARQUE -DU' CANADA ''"-nr- X6NE. 11113U V "FREE DRAW" YOUR HOST: The Financial' 'entie/1Z2 The Square, Goderich 524-4464 1-800-265-5503 You Arc Invited To The ND"2°uNsr RAFT FESTIVAL at the Goderich Twpo Coffin -utility centre Holtuesville, Ontario ritrq ijt it's). 8 hoAccn (iittlefirth I Display and Sale of Crafts Christi:11as Baking - Knitting - Doll Clothes - CeraMies - Wreaths - Wooden Toys - Wood Crafts - Home Canned Goods - Produce - and much, mitch mote Admission: minus 50c Frida), October 2 1 - 9 iLin• Light Lunches & Saturday, octnbef 3 10 thin. 6 pan. Refresluatms,MailiMIr May Prizes u_Snrula._Ottober 4 11-a.m. 5 p.M. . • FALL FEATURES Effective Thursday, FrIday.and Saturday, While Supplies Last .Tly our Cherry Squares, Butter Tarts and Orange Twists! GOUNTRY—EtU.-NS---t- ) 'CANADIAN & IMPORTED Tasty Nu Store Only ONLY DOZ, Tasty Nu Bread .1)Finest Quality - Fresh,Daily ONLY. CHEESES FRESH OFF THE BLOCK MAPLE LEAF PROCESS CHEESE SLICES LB CHOCOLATED1HAN s BLUE CHEESE CHIP COOKIES DOZ. LB, DELICIOUS 8 INCH STRAWBERRY RHUBARB A Wide Variety of Delicious DONUTS es. t!, PIE ' • 70 , law . , ,,, ,,, 4; ., .; ,,,,‘ '-P- ,,, , . .'. .' 1-, 1.- 1' ''," .NO ,:. NI ..': ..,,, • ....,. ,.. ,1 -Y ,. , . ',.., ), ,. c.- , , 1 4 ' i er , , ,, ,... i z - , , 41 1, "„:.-I 1.• t 2 =v..• ' '',"•7, ,.2—. .,. '' '.' : , ..r;' Effective Till Sat., Sept. 26 SCHNEIDERS • SLICED . SIDE ( BACONJ., \ ,..,„,..../ i , 500 g PKG. 1 • STORE PACKED MAPLE LEAF SKINLESS WIENERS LB. El L CANADA GRADE 'A' SEMI BONELESS SHORT RIB ROAST • LB. ,,, PART BACK ATTACHED - CHICKEN LEGS LB. 0 . CANADA GRADE A BEEF BONELESS CUT FROM CANADA GRADE "A" BEEF, T-BONE STEAKS . El 9 BACK ATTACHED 0 FAMILY PACK0 CHICKEN BREAST LB. ,. , ,........... , ......... . MAPLE LEAF. SUMMER SAUSAGE - LB. MAPLE. LEAF BAKED , _ MEAT LOAF L t1i LB. . STORE SLICED ^ MOM HAM 8 . - GROUND REGULARi ' ,,• ,,,„ 1 • r',"":•it:,/;,"1,,• 1 • „ ' mED, LB 1 1,,..._ „ ( , ,_ 11 ) (_ _ BEEF • • LEAN LB .L 1, „, ....,_........• ,.. , : ' • "tt1 t.).41,1241-'",,-.4„.4, . LB 1 , : •