Riversite Realty Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall
A program at WDSS in Wallaceburg is in danger of folding at the end of the month, if some funding doesn’t come through.
On the brink of closure is the Partnership, Achievement, Cultural Awareness, Engagement (PACE) program at Wallaceburg’s high school, which is a student success initiative focusing on supporting students who are experiencing various difficulties that affect their success throughout the school year.
Ken O’Neil, the coordinator of the program, said PACE is set to close its doors as of January 31, 2017.
“This is very unfortunate because we have not been able to secure ongoing funding for the program,” O’Neil said.
“Many efforts have been made to try and secure ongoing sustainable funding for the program, but at this time, we have not been successful. We are awaiting response from one or two interested corporate sponsors, however, we have not received a definite response. We have also been in contact with the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth of Ontario and they are prepared to help us navigate through the Provincial Ministry funding system.”
O’Neil said this was going to be the program’s 11th year in operation at WDSS.
“Over these years, the program has supported over 600 students, has helped reduce the suspension rate by over 300%, has helped increase the overall school’s retention rate by approximately 4% or 5% each year and has linked more than 500 students to school and community supports,” he said.
“The PACE program has had great successes over the past 11 years because of the wrap around approach, assessing students needs, planning interventions and linking students with amazing school and community supports to help them reach their full potential. Our students have had amazing successes due to these supports that they receive from the program, school staff and community.”
O’Neil said WDSS has not experienced a student suicide during this time.
“This outcome can be contributed to the amazing internal supports and the supports linked to our school,” he said.
In 2006, WDSS and the Lambton-Kent District School Board received grants from the Ministry of Education to develop and implement a support program that addresses and meets the needs of at-risk students.
“This is how PACE originated, but unfortunately this was only start up funding for the first two to three years,” said O’Neil.
“For the last seven years, the core responsibility for acquiring funding for the program was placed on the PACE program coordinator. In July of 2016, Walpole Island Social Services, LKDSB and the ‘Way Out’ counselling services signed a five year collaborative agreement, in attempt to reach out to other funding sources. Walpole Island Social Services has committed to be the central partner/applicant for future funding opportunities.”
O’Neil added: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported the program and who believed in our approach. Also, thanks to all to our financial contributors (Ontario Trillium Foundation, Enbridge, Walpole Island Education Program, Walpole Island Social Services, Lambton Kent District School Board, other community partners) over the years, who have made many efforts to sustain the program for our youth.”
Grade 12 student at WDSS Emma Houle recently expressed her concern about the closure of the program, throuhg a letter to the editor to the Sydenham Current.
“Without PACE, the chances of everything falling apart for many students again is very high, including myself and my friends,” Houle wrote.
Read her full letter here: Letter: Time to save the PACE program at WDSS
O’Neil also provided some statistics to the Sydenham Current about the program:
– WDSS Year-End Stats, 2007-2016
What do you think?
Should the PACE program be saved at WDSS?
Please vote in our poll below:
[polldaddy poll=”9638853″]
If you have a suggestion, story idea, column idea, or if you want to say hello… drop me an e-mail at aaron@sydenhamcurrent.ca.
Photo of the day
3/4 of the champion bridge building team! #handsonscience #lkdsb #collaboration pic.twitter.com/ew1MD4zHH8
— H. W. Burgess PS (@hwburgessps) 16 January 2017
Weather forecast for Tuesday, January 14, 2017
Today – Rain ending this afternoon then cloudy with 40 percent chance of rain or drizzle. Risk of a thunderstorm this morning. Fog patches dissipating this morning. Wind becoming southwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 this morning. High 8.
Tonight – Cloudy with 40 percent chance of rain or drizzle. Wind west 20 km/h gusting to 40 becoming light overnight. Low plus 3.
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