Chalk Talk: Spring 2018

I am reminded of the ‘hamburger paragraph’ – a strategy used by students as an organizational tool to assist them with claim and support writing. The opening statement, like the top of the burger, is the claim statement, followed by the supporting statements serving as the ‘meat’, with closing statements re-iterating the claim, being the bottom of the burger.

I, too, have borrowed a page from this strategy to write about the success of the Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation as it relates to making a difference.

The Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation indeed makes a difference in the lives of the students served by the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board.

One only needs to hear the ‘stories’ from students, staff and parents or review statistics to know that this is so.

For example, at the end of February of this year, requests to the Student Emergency Fund had reached 338, only fifty requests short of those made during the entire 2016-17 school year. The majority of requests are for food for home, and clothing and hygiene items for students. One principal, in reference to the Student Emergency Fund, wrote the following:

“Our families are often left in positions where they must make choices between heat, hydro or groceries and prescription drugs or eye glasses. As school administrators, knowing that we have your support as we help our families makes a difference.”

In the 2016-17 school year, Food For Learning served 1,076,531 meals and snacks to 12,823 students. While there are many factors for which students access the meals and snacks, they are better prepared to learn when being hungry is not a barrier.

One of the ways in which the Len & Olive Black Memorial Fund supports students is by assisting with the cost of application fees for post-secondary education. At the Foundation’s AGM, in December, 2017, staff members from a secondary school told of a student who was doing very well with post secondary education due, in part, by having her application fees covered by the Fund.

Once again, a quote from a secondary school teacher affirms that this Fund makes a difference:

“ ……… I’ve had students who wanted to pursue post-secondary education but couldn’t afford the fees. Levelling the playing field for all students is so important”.

Several years ago the HPE Learning Foundation learned that some secondary school students were not attending their graduation celebrations because they could not afford to outfit themselves for the occasion. To assist with overcoming the barrier of clothing costs, Prom Project was launched.

One only has to see the look on the faces of students as they select the ‘perfect’ dress, suit, tie, etc. to know that this Project really does make a difference. Community members have been very generous in their donations of gently used formal wear to ensure that all students can enjoy end of year celebrations.

The Good Backpack Program provides schools with back packs and supplies for distribution to students as needed. Last year, 489 back packs were distributed to students in Hastings and Prince Edward counties. Once again, a quote from a principal speaks to the difference this Program makes:

“Both staff and families are pleased with this program and thankful to have been the recipients of such generosity. For several of our families with multiple children the return to school is daunting due to the sheer cost of such items.”

Making a difference is what the Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation is all about. Through the programs and services provided by the Foundation, students are able to access the support they need to realize wellbeing and success.

Feedback received from students, staff, and parents confirms that a difference is being made for many – very gratifying indeed.

Food for Learning programs are vital as various studies have proven that when children and youth are provided with proper nutrition, there is a positive impact on their cognition, behavior and academic performance.

These studies have produced evidence that poorly nourished children do not make the same intellectual and social gains in a learning environment.

In seeking local evidence of the impact Food for Learning has, program coordinators were asked to share their insight of the benefits of student nutrition programs in their schools.

Not only does Food for Learning provide nutrition, but also a sense of leadership and responsibility within schools for students. “There are great leadership opportunities for the students who help with running the snack program” program coordinator shared.

As well, students are learning lifelong healthy eating habits and life skills by being actively involved, “Teachers have noted students are coming to class focused and ready to learn.”

“At Breakfast Club we provide students with opportunities for social and life skills. We show students how to wash and rinse their dishes properly and we educate students about recycling and composting. We also reinforce good social skills (manners, asking appropriately for food/drink).”

In addition, reflections from another program coordinator added, “We are serving a large number of students at our school each day. This program makes a large positive impact on students’ ability to be successful at school. I have seen a dramatic increase in their confidence and self-esteem as a result of helping with this program.”

Food for Learning has also been said to be “vital to our student population” as “So many of our students access this program on a daily basis for a variety of reasons. It allows our students to have a full belly that helps them be ready to learn and to have a great start to the day.”

Food for Learning is about more than just eating for many students.

Having access to a daily student nutrition program ensures that all students in Hastings and Prince Edward counties are ready to learn, succeed and feel a sense of belonging each day.

VICKY STRUTHERS
Community Development, Special
Events and Grants Coordinator

Student Nutrition Ontario (SNO) is a collective of Ministry of Children & Youth Services’ (MCYS) transfer payment agencies (Lead Agencies) providing services in support of student nutrition programs across the province. The Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation is the Lead Agency for all student nutrition programs in South Eastern Ontario.

Student Nutrition Programs exist to help students be more engaged in their learning, to be better connected to their school community and to learn life long healthy eating habits. Every child deserves an equal opportunity to access nutrition. Throughout Ontario student nutrition programs, which are universally accessible meals and snack programs, provides this equity.

However, to do so for tens of thousands of students requires a great deal of coordination and leadership.

SNO is the organization that links all student nutrition programs in Ontario. There are several thousand schools in the province offering student nutrition programs, and they all require similar supports and resources.

SNO collaborations have enabled provincial donors, such as Breakfast Club of Canada and The Grocery Foundation, to support students more effectively, minimizing administrative expenses and directing more funds to program expenses. Working together with one voice, SNO is able to maximize the collective impact of our programs.

As a member of SNO, The Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation has benefited from the sharing of best practices, and shared knowledge from experienced coordinators and volunteers.

Through SNO we are better able to collectively communicate, report to and negotiate with our government partner, MCYS, resulting in consistent messaging and common understanding for all Lead Agencies.

SNO has developed resources that can be used by all programs across the province to better serve students, and ensure that all schools are receiving equal support as they implement their breakfast, snack and lunch programs.

The Learning Foundation is proud to be the Lead Agency for Student Nutrition Ontario – South East, and to be working with our three Community Partnership Committees: Food for Thought (Lanark County), The Food Sharing Project (Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington) and Food for Learning (Hastings and Prince Edward counties).

By working through SNO we are providing better service to local students.

We are better together:

Eat. Learn. Succeed.

Please visit studentnutritionontario.ca.

KELLIE BRACE
Student Nutrition Program Coordinator

Research has shown that household food insecurity is linked to academic difficulties. In Hastings and Prince Edward counties, more than 10% of households struggle with the ability to obtain a safe, culturally acceptable, nutritionally adequate diet. As can be seen in the following graph, the proportion of people who are insecure is one of the highest in Ontario, and significantly higher than the Ontario average.

Food insecurity and low income are also linked to lower educational achievement. Proportionately more adults in Hastings and Prince Edward do not have postsecondary education. Educational attainment of adults in the child’s community has a strong positive effect on children’s well-being and outcomes.

Children who experience food insecurity are more likely to be anxious and exhibit behaviour disorders, often score lower on intelligence and achievement tests, and generally have more academic problems. Teenagers who are food insecure are also more likely to have academic and social problems.

One way of measuring how children are doing is the Early Development Instrument (EDI). Income is a key determinant of health and healthy eating – the lower the household income, the greater the likelihood of food insecurity. Many people can’t afford to eat nutritious food. As the next graph shows, many children in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties live in low income households. More than one in five children in Hastings and one in six in Prince Edward children struggle with poverty.

The EDI is a questionnaire filled out by kindergarten educators in the second year of kindergarten. It focuses on five different areas of children’s early development: physical health and well-being, social competence, emotional maturity, language and cognitive development, and communication skills and general knowledge. If children do not meet developmental expectations in one or more of these areas, they are considered to be vulnerable. Children who are vulnerable are more likely to experience difficulties throughout school, have more behavioural problems and more challenges in social relationships, and are less likely to graduate.

More than one in three young children in Hastings and Prince Edward are vulnerable in one or more areas of development, significantly higher than the average in Ontario. Vulnerability on the EDI is related to both food insecurity and low income.

We can see from the data that children in Hastings and Prince Edward face significant challenges. However, the research also shows the importance of programs such as Food for Learning. The association of food insecurity and poverty with academic challenges decreases for students who benefited from food supplementation programs in schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Serving meals and snacks to school children who don’t get it elsewhere significantly improves their cognitive or mental abilities: e.g. they do better on standardized tests, are more alert and pay better attention. Children who eat breakfast are sick less often and late less often, and they have fewer problems related to hunger (e.g. dizziness, lethargy and earaches). Their nutritional intake improves and they are more likely to be healthy.

BEVERLEY BELL-ROWBOTHAM
DATA ANALYSIS COORDINATOR
Hastings County

PURSUING AN SHSM ENABLES STUDENTS TO:

1. Customize their secondary school education to suit their interests and talents
2. Develop specialized knowledge and skills that are valued by the sector and postsecondary education institutions
3. Earn credits that are recognized by the sector and postsecondary education institutions
4. Gain sector-specific and careerrelevant certification and training from experts in the field
5. Develop Essential Skills and work habits that are valued by the sector
6. Identify, explore, and refine their career goals and make informed decisions about their postsecondary destination
7. Remain flexible, with the option to shift between pathways should their goals and plans change.

SHSM Sectors @ HPEDSB

 

• Arts & Culture – Centennial SS
• Construction – Centre Hastings SS &
  Quinte SS
• Environment – North Hastings HS
• Health & Wellness – Centennial SSH
• Hospitality & Tourism – Trenton HS
• Manufacturing – Bayside SS
• Non- Profit – Trenton HS
• Sports Management – Trenton HS
• Sports Performance – Moira SS

Community and Sector Partnerships

Community and sector partners play an important role in the success of SHSMs. Sector organizations have supported the development of SHSMs and have provided resources and opportunities for certification and training, experiential education, and cooperative education placements.

How Can Community & Sector Partners Support SHSM Programs?

Partnerships can take various forms depending on the availability of time, resources and expertise.

 

1. Advisory Team Member Support and guide SHSM programs and students based on labour trends & current sector policies and practices.
2. Cooperative Education Opportunities. Every student enrolled in an SHSM requires 2 co-op credits (roughly 200 hours of on the job experience).
3. Sector Specific Training Opportunities. Students are required to complete compulsory and elective certifications based on the training requirements of the sector.
4. Job site tours offer an authentic and current perspective for students. As a guest speaker or mentor you can share with students the pathways you took to your profession.

TRENTON HIGH SCHOOL: NON-PROFIT

Students in the Non-Profit SHSM earned 2 certifications at RKY camp this year in Conflict Resolution and Group Dynamics.

They worked on teamwork skills and leadership skills as well. They also earned their Customer Service certification this year at a centralized learning activity with other schools and SHSM sectors.

Looking ahead: May 30-31, we will visit Nellie’s Womens’ Shelter in Toronto and We (Free the Children) offices to learn about what these NP organizations do. We will also volunteer at Scott’s Mission (Toronto’s largest homeless shelter) where we will prepare and serve food to approx 300 people in need.

Other activities that NP SHSM students participate in include Pink Shirt Day, Humane Society fundraiser and THS’ 24 Hour Famine.

We have a great group of grade 11 and 12 students who are earning certifications and having experiential learning while in the program.

MOIRA SECONDARY SCHOOL: SPORTS

Moira’s SHSM Sport Academy has had a jammed packed year of excitement thus far. The group started the year with a trip to the Core Centre in downtown Belleville to gain certification in Project Management.

The group took in a Raptors 905 Game and Career Forum at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga in late November.

From there, the Sport Academy group spent a day with one of our valuable Community Partners, The Belleville Senators, brainstorming solutions to a real world problem in the professional sports’ field: Game Day Parking! The students enjoyed munchies at Shoeless Joes and then got to cheer on their home team Senators in action. What a day! The learning and fun continues as the group gets their 2 Day Standard First Aid training next week.

To round out the year of exciting experiences, we will tour Loyalist College’s Recreation and Leisure Program as well as the Health and Fitness Promotion areas.

Many thanks to our Community Partners, The Belleville Branch YMCA, Loyalist College and the Belleville Senators for their continued support in helping us offer exciting and enriching learning experiences.

CENTENNIAL SECONDARY SCHOOL: HEALTH & WELLNESS

The SHSM Health and Wellness Program at Centennial has been busy again this year. Students have been continuing with their program certifications as well as taking part in many local opportunities.

This year, students had the opportunity to attend the first ever B-Sens workshop. Participants were able to learn about the operations of the team as well as tour the new renovated arena facility. The Health and Wellness group also participated in the Healthcare Day held at QHC hosted by the East Central Ontario Training Board. This fabulous opportunity allowed students to interact with a variety of professionals involved in this sector to ask questions and see what each profession entails. Within the school, students were involved in a full day athletic taping clinic learning the in and outs of taping ankles, thumbs and shins with a local athletic therapist. Some upcoming events also include a trip to Loyalist College as well as Safetalk certification.

 

The Belleville Senators are honoured to be able to help the many terrific charities in our community in the Bay of Quinte Region – and The Hastings and Prince Edward (HPE) Learning Foundation is right at the top of the list.

The Senators were very pleased to be able to present five of the major charities they were affiliated with this season jumbo cheques at our final home game of the season for the amount of $25,000 each – and the Learning Foundation was one of them!

Under team owner Eugene Melnyk and COO Rob Mullowney, the Belleville Senators feel it is important to give back to the community that supports them, and partner with great causes like The Learning Foundation. In turn The Learning Foundation played a big part in making the Senators major fund raising initiative the huge success that is was.

Working in conjunction with the Ottawa Senators Foundation (the Belleville Senators of the American Hockey League are the farm team of the National Hockey League’s Ottawa Senators), the Senators established a 50/50 fund raising draw at their home games for this season. To say it was a resounding success would be an understatement. Thanks to the hard work of charity partners (which included The Learning Foundation),
Senators staff and the AGCO, more than $200,000 was raised to help local charities.

There are many worthwhile charities in the Bay of Quinte that are in urgent need of support, so the Senators try and help as many as they can. But being involved with The Learning Foundation was very important to the club.

“The Learning Foundation is a tremendous local community group doing outstanding and important work in the Bay of Quinte community,” Belleville Senators Vice President Roger Lajoie says. “As an organization it is important for us to partner with charities like this one that share our values and goals.

“We are very pleased to be able to donate $25,000 to them on behalf of our generous fans and our organization. The Learning Foundation is a credit to this community.”

The pillars of the soon to be formed Belleville Senators Foundation consist of health, education and children. An organization such as The Learning Foundation is a perfect fit within the Senators charitable organization, as they consistently work on those values as well by empowering children and youth to reach their full potential. The Belleville Senators are proud to be able to partner with such an outstanding organization.

Supporting over 16,000 students within 42 elementary and eight secondary schools, The Learning Foundation has always shared the passion of teaching and learning.

The Senators feel it is one of the leading organizations in the Bay of Quinte and they have been delighted to work with them this season.