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Lynn Zammit. co-ordina- tor of the Choices program for the Waterloo Region dis. trict school board, explained that under the Safe Schools Act students are suspended igh school teacher HBrian Lynch felt both pride and hope recently when one of his Stu. dents showed an interest in reading. If Lynch was teaching in a regular classroom it might not have been such a signifi- cant event. But he's not teaching in a regular class- room or in a regular school. His students have been expelled from all publicly- funded schools in Ontario because of violent behav- iour. Their only hope of ever returning to school is Choices for Youth, a pro- gram for expelled students in Waterloo region. The student who gave Lynch hope had been a reluctant reader who is now reading a 52-chapter novel that she can't put down. That, says Lynch, is a good sign not only because it will improve her reading abili- ties, but it will do some good for her self-confidence as "Her mom is thrilled about it and I am too." he said. "It seems now this is a place she belongs, in her own mind." Choices for Youth began in the fall when the province implemented its Safe Schools Act; legislation that aims to make schools safe and secure by suspending or expelling students for threatening and violent behaviour. while at the same time protecting victims of bullying and violence, Under the law, students can be removed from school for a wide range of unac- ceptable behaviours from swearing at a teacher, to possessing alcohol, to threatening to seriously hurt another person to gang activity, and hurting or both- ering someone because of their skin colour. religion, culture or beliefs. Expelled students in Waterloo region offered 'Choices' BY CAROL-ANN NUGLNT For The Chronicle cdr A a»: , ' cuar" gr C. . " . d / xx N i ’ is t ' t " je, al a? "r"-.-, "rl,-r-,,, T-- 210. of ‘xlntorlnn Tnl‘ln in‘qro Tomorrow, Thursday January 3lst at Waterloo Town Square for up to 20 days and permit- ted to return to school, while those who receive a limited expulsion are removed from school for 21 days to one year, after which they are allowed back However, for those who are fully expelled and want to one day retumtoaregular school, their only choice is Choices; no publicly-funded school in the province will admit them until they've successfully completed the program. In addition to academic studies, Choices students have opportunities for emo- tional and social learning. For example, they learn anger management, conflict resolution, leadership skills and empathy. Each of the Choices sites in Waterloo region receives regular visits by a police officer, a social worker and a child psychia- trist. "That means you're out of every publicly-funded school in Ontario. period," said Lynch. Each of the sites operated in the program has space for 10 students of all ages and it's expected that each site will be full by June. Enrolment is voluntary. Upon their expulsion from school, a school board Vlad Kovac and Brian Lynch teach the Choices for Youth Expulsion Program in Waterloo region. unomu mom more Enjoy spccual savmgs throughout the mall Rcpruer at Shoppers Drug Mart See Wires for details LIFESTYLE "l think the hard part is these kids have probably not been nurtured in the regular schooL.So school's not been a positive experience." said Lynch. "Every teacher wants to do what they can to make kids succeed. It's so difficult with the climate today with the curriculum and the lack of money" Kovac explained that Choices teachers are able to focus on the social, emotional, intellectual and physical well-being committee determines specifically what help each student must receive before returning to school. "We have to ensure these criteria are met before we can validate that they can re- enter or be a positive citizen of that school community and not a threat to anyone, including themselves," said Lynch, Vlad Kovac. a teacher with the Choices program. said students will remain in the program for as long as it takes; until he and Lynch feel they're ready to re-enter their old school. A big part of preparing them. he said. is "celebrating" their strengths; something he and Lynch are able to do when working with a small group of stu- dents. Each of the three sites in the region is staffed by a high school teacher/counsellor and an elementary teachericourvsellor, The pro- gram is also open to Catholic school students from the region. John Shewchuk. media relations manager at the Waterloo Region Catholic school board, said board officials are formulating a plan to offer their own expulsion program in case the Choices program should become full. To date, there have been no full expulsions at area Catholic schools. although two students have received limited emulsions. Though it takes students some time to adjust to their new learning environment, both Kovac and Lynch think they're making a difference in the lives of their students. "I think we are," Lynch said. “It's hard, I'll tell you-N the end of the day I'm every bit as tired and stressed as l was with a full class of high school kids." The region's public school board was among seven boards in the province chosen to operate Choices, which is a two-year pilot project, "lt breaks down barriers right off the bat," said Lynch. "Their immediate relation- ship starts on a casual basis. This is not boot camp and that's a key thing...lt is an inviting atmosphere." "I'm here." Kovac said, "because it's in total align- ment with my philosophy...l really enjoy when at-risk students come back and are successful. There's a lot of personal fulfillment." Choices students address their teachers by their first names. of their students. Prior to their acceptance into Choices, Lynch and Kovac make it clear to stu- dents what their expecta- tions are. Lynch stressed "ids not boot camp" but the rules that applied at their former school also apply at Choices. Students are not permitted to leave school at lunch time. For those grieving, the uncertainty of recent world events can be particularly poignant. What happens in society at large after devastating events is not so dif- ferent from the process an individual undergoes when grieving. Explore this topic further by joining the Bereaved Families of Ontario Waterloo Region for the group's next community evening. featuring Dr. Chris Ross. Ross, a psychologist and psychotherapist who teaches the psychology of religion in the department of religion and culture at Wilfrid laurier University, will speak on "Working Creatively With Grief: Dealing with the Sept. ll Bombings in America". The event will take place Jan. 30, from 7-9 pm. at the Breithaupt Centre. 350 Margaret Ave, in Kitchener. For more information, call 745-7280. The Waterloo regional Block Parent program is looking for volunteers to open their homes as tempo- rary refuge in an emergency to children or other peo- ple in need. _ Block Parents are responsible adults who care about the well-being of children and others. All Block Parenl families are screened by the police and instructed on the local program by volun- teers. The distinctive red and white Block Parent window sign is displayed in the home when a responsible adult is able to answer the door. The sign tells children, seniors and others that help is at hand if they're lost, frightened or in distress. The sign is never displayed when the Block Parent is not available for immediate assistance. For more information about the Block Parent pro- gram, or how you can help on the board ofdirectors, contact 74543410 Afong with a stroll around the indoor track, there will he entertainment. Children's activities. refresh, ments, costumed characters and a one-hour family swim. Our Place has been in the Kitchener-Waterloo community for over 21 years. The organization is a community-based, not-for-profit Family Resource Centre offering accessible adult and children's social and educational programming that supports and encourages family values for the betterment of chil- dren. For a pledge sheet, or for more information on the event, call 576-1626. Our Place Family Resource Centre will be holding its annual Stroll-a-thon Feb. 9, from 9:30 a.m, to 2 p.m_, at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex. Workshop deals with grief over Sept. 1 l attacks Our Place resource centre to host stroll-a-thon Volunteers needed for Block Parent program 75 King Sin-cl South l‘pmun Waterloo ma non "ttr-tF'.-" u I o Ask for details wmmoo nonm "ttrti."i. .aAtht Fairway tt I I % FINANCING - III-momma “In 746-1666 in Waterloo