Adult Contact Teachers will now be staffed at both St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart High Schools.
Those involved are charged with the task of reaching out to students who have either dropped out of school or at risk of doing so.
Superintendent Catherine Montreuil says every at-risk student between the age of 14 to 17 will have a staff member assigned to them — even if they are no longer attending school.
The ultimate goal getting these kids back in school.
Montreuil says the research has proved that a caring adult can make all the difference in keeping a youth connected with their education.
She say these adult contact teachers will track students down and will meet them at their place of employment, in coffee shops, homes — wherever necessary to get them re-engaged.
Montreuil says staff will provide whatever support they can to help get these kids back in school or in an alternative learning environment, such as co-op or apprenticeship.
She says in many cases these students carry a heavy load, whether it be psychological problems, abuse, financial struggles or learning difficulties.
It’s her belief that intervention is key to the success of these young people.
