The coordinator for WDSS’s PACE program is thrilled, after Enbridge Inc. came to the school today to announce a $60,000 donation to the program.
“It has been a long time coming,” said Ken O’Neil.
A press conference was held at the Wallaceburg school, as the formal announcement for the new partnership was made. Enbridge Pipeline Inc. and Enbridge Green Power, Transmission & Emerging Technology donated $30,000 each, for a total donation of $60,000 over the next three years.
“We have been working on this program for eight years now,” O’Neil said. “To get this kind of support, I knew I had the community behind me, but I guess I didn’t know to this extent and how much the community really does care and wants to support a program like this. It is cool, I’m very impressed.”
PACE (Partnership, Achievement, Cultural Awareness & Engagement) is a program developed to support at-risk-students as part of a Student Success Initiative.
The donation will assist PACE to:
– Provide school based supports as recommended in consultation with School Administration, Student Success Team, Student Services and the Harriet Jacobs Centre
– Maintain a relationship with the Walpole Island First Nation community to maintain an understanding of the sensitivity issues related to the historical and cultural perspectives of First Nations and the First Nation students
– Assist in partnering students with the proper resources and supports needed to be successful
– Monitor daily attendance of each student involved with PACE to ensure consistency
– Maintain ongoing contact with students and parents/guardians to help ensure continuity of supports and determination of needs throughout the school year
– Liaise and consult with Community agencies as determined by the School Success Team, to provide support for individual students.
O’Neil said a variety of improvements have been seen statistically at the school since the program has been implemented, including:
– A drop in the suspension rate at the school (474 in 2005/2006 to 109 in 2013/2014)
– Credit accumulation up from 86.4 per cent in 2007/2008 to 92 per cent in 2012/2013
– 38 per cent decrease in crisis situations at the school
– Improvement in attendance for at-risk students
“To get funding like this, program funders and the school board, they want to know that this is a viable, worthwhile program,” O’Neil said. “You need your data and your stats to reflect on that, so that the funders say this is a good program.”
O’Neil said the feedback from students, parents and community partners has been fantastic over the years.
“The main concept of the program and the mission is the students and the parents,” he said. “The ones receiving the support, do they get what they need from our services and our support. Just to see the testimonials that the students have given and the parents and the community partners, that is what really counts.”
O’Neil said some amazing partnerships have been developed throuhg the program, particularly with Walpole Island First Nation.
“I’ve taken pride in this and it is always something I have done since the beginning of my career and its getting to know as many people in the community programs and agencies that I can,” he said. “My relationship with Walpole Island, I’ve been working there for 16 years as well. I found when you are supporting at risk youth, you don’t do it by yourself. It is a community approach, and the relationships I have built with these community partners has been so influential in supporting these kids, I know I can’t do it by myself.
O’Neil added: “I can call up anyone at anytime in any of these programs and I know they are going to be there. I utilize the people that I know are not going to let my youth down, because they trust me to provide the support and service, and they’ve reached out to me. I’m utilizing the people that I know and trust and respect. So when that youth goes to meet with them or access their services, I know it is going to be followed through with.”
Ken Hall, senior advisor for Enbridge public affairs, said their company is happy to support the program.
“We’re proud to support the youth and this program is a great example,” he said.
Hall also handed over a $5,000 cheque to Rob Lee, principal at WDSS, to go towards improvements at the WDSS gymnasium.
Hall said this donation was made throuhg the PAIRS (Partners Active in Resource Sharing) program with WDSS.
PAIRS is a community based and supported program enhancing educational experiences for students through continuous and effective interaction among community partners.
