Lori Wilder is the Superintendant of Student Services with the Bluewater District School Board.
Speaking on Soundingboard Wilder says the purpose is to provide a small environment for students who may have trouble fuctioning in a larger group, and to integrate them into a regular school.
She says those include kids who may have emotional or psychological and mental health issues.
The program runs out of a separate wing in the school, and is taught by a specialized teacher with a maximum of eight students.
Wilder says the program exists in other schools, including Hepworth Central, where it’s deemed successful.
A meeting will be held to educate any concerned parents on Thursday at G. C. Huston.
Wilder says however there is no need for parents to be concerned; as these kids are not “bad kids” but ones who need support on various levels.
G. C. Huston was selected to carry the program because it has space.
Beach News received information and concerns from anonymous parents about the “Section 23” program being integrated.
They tell us, they are upset about the lack of knowledge about the integration, as well as information discovered on a government website.
It states a “Section 23” school works in conjunction with the Canadian Justice System and the youth that have been detained in correctional, and/or in other facilities.
A meeting for school council members begins at 6:30, parents will then have an opportunity to ask questions and learn more from 7 til 8.
