HomeMy WebLinkAbout10a Delegation Susan Knorr re Delivery of Guidance for Grade 7 and 8 StudentsMAY -22 -1998 10:55 FROM RIDEAU UALLEY MIDDLE SCH TO
V E D IN
, RPORATE RECORDS
K1 H T 2 2 A %rents,
when it begin�
r r. concern. On May 1,
'URN TO
8206960 P.02
re are well aware of the need to decrease budget expenditures, however,
!ctly influence the welfare of hundreds of children it becomes of critical
letter was sent out by the "RV1KS" parent council announcing the
guidance counselor position due to financial constraints. This became a
.y families as this position is absolutely vital for numerous reasons.
1.tV__: _
The role of the guidance counselor is diverse. Prevention, protection and intervention
are primary concerns within these individuals mandate. The guidance cou Lselor represents to
many students a "safe" person to share concerns with. He or she is also highly trained in
assessment skills in order to effectively meet the needs of the child and family. In addition
this role is also mandated to inform children of future academic choices and encourage them to
pursue their studies as well as their dreams_
Demands in the 90's on young people can be overwhelming whether they be social,
physical or emotional. The crucial years of secondary intervention are no doubt the latter
latency years and early teens. The opportunity to make a difference in a child's life can
happen during these years prior to high school. Preventive measures are often implemented
which save both grief and money to the child, family and province.
It is most predicable that children's needs will not change, if anything they will grow,
requiring more care and concern for them.
Why in a time of greatest need are the children being sacrificed?
(W Let's look at the facts — significant increases of emotional instability result in many
painful realities. I.e. poor self- esteem, substance abuse, eating disorders, attempted suicide,
self injury, sexual activity, etc. To date these conditions are on a rise in schools across the
nation.
Does it not seem sensible to address these problems before they evolve into major
crisises.
Education dictates the need to teach in all areas of development. What good is the
child's academic life, if their emotional life is crumbling.
To date RVMS guidance counselor, hors. Gerry Last, sees approximately fifteen children
a week for various reason. If her schedule permitted it, she would no doubt be able to tend to
the needs of manv more kids. Unfortunatelv, she is mandated at a .5 position limiting her
ability to services the needs of the children adequately. .
In summarizing, we feel it necessary to address the province's intention to eliminate the
guidance counselor position the wisdom of such a decision.
...Will we save now, only to pay later.
We ask for the support of the Ottawa Carleton District School Board on behalf of our
teachers, parents, but mostly the children. After all, are the children not our primary
importance?
frorn Sue Knorr # S 4 O Cc o