May 14, 2013
An open letter to the school trustees of New Westminster,
Cuts to counselling: We are writing in response to the cuts to elementary and middle school counselling positions for this next school year of 2013/14.
Over the past years, the elementary and middle school counselling levels in New Westminster School District have barely met the ever increasing demands of our most vulnerable students. Currently there are a total of 5.9 full-time equivalent counsellors to service 11 schools and a student population in excess of 3,800. In our view the present working student/counsellor ratio is at best meeting a marginal standard of service. The cuts for next year and beyond would drop that 5.9 FTE to 1.8 FTE and make it virtually impossible to provide even a minimal level of service. We would move from a proactive, support model into reactive crisis management.
What we do: Counsellors play a key role in the school system and are crucial in helping children with complex social and emotional needs. These needs must be met for learning to occur. Counsellors provide more than general guidance. As trained professionals we support children dealing with such issues as death, divorce, poverty, sexual abuse, physical abuse, trauma, family conflict and family violence. We work with children who have behaviour issues as well as emerging mental health conditions including the ever-increasing incidences of depression and anxiety.
During any school day we diffuse playground conflicts and provide a safe place for children to go when they are unable to cope. We work with students who are fearful to come to school, who are confused and hurting over separation and divorce, who are traumatized by family violence and who have witnessed events that are incomprehensible to adults let alone a six year old. We work with students who live in poverty, who are lacking in social skills and a sense of self worth, students who are withdrawn, feel helpless, and worse, feel hopeless about their future and believe they are invisible. This is the reality of the lives of some of our students. They may occupy a seat in the classroom, but they are not learners. What they need is the immediate and ongoing attention and support of trusted qualified professionals.
The real picture: We deal with students cutting themselves and then posting images online. We have taken children for psychiatric assessment at Royal Columbian and attended discharge meetings at Children's Hospital. We have assisted mothers and their children to leave a domestic violence situation and find a safe haven. We have intervened with students engaging in suicidal ideation and supported children after the death of a parent. We go into homes and bring children to school. We are immediately on site to support students, staff and each other after a critical incident.
As educators: We love what we do because we know we make a difference. We make connections and encourage students to understand themselves and others. We run groups to develop skills in peer mediation and conflict resolution, social skills, and friendship. We address cyber bullying and provide online sexual exploitation education, deliver abuse prevention programs and support teachers with sexual health education. We arrange student leadership conferences, assemblies, bring in speakers, organize school clubs, and run Christmas hamper programs. We supervise and mentor master's level practicum students from the UBC Counselling Centre, as well as youth workers from Douglas College as a way to provide additional services at no cost.
And collaborators: We participate in school-based teams, consult on IEP's and develop behaviour support plans. We are involved in threat and risk assessments. We screen students for emerging mental health issues and connect their families with the appropriate agencies so they can receive assessment and early intervention. We meet with parents, encouraging follow up with pediatricians, hospital treatment, tutoring services, and parenting supports. We provide referrals and liaise with community agencies to ensure a coordinated and consistent approach to care between home, school and community. For our staff, we deliver duty to report information and provide consultation and support in making reports to the Ministry of Children and Families. We are involved in case management meetings with MCFD and Child and Youth Mental Health. With reductions in community support services and often long wait lists, we actively provide the individual therapeutic care that students need until those services are available.
The real cost: Many questions arise as a result of these cuts to counselling positions. Who will provide these complex supports and services with the experience and training that are necessary? Who will implement the anti-bullying or sexual abuse prevention programs? Who will deal with the student who is in crisis during the school day? Who will recognize the self-harmer? Every September we support children who deal with anxieties as they transition to school and work with students who are having difficulty attending throughout the year. Support makes a difference to attendance and retention. A reduction in services will have a real impact in areas of learning, attendance, social/emotional development, and the ability to manage daily school demands. It will inevitably impact classrooms, administrators, and teachers, further increasing stress and burnout. A costly result in the end. But the most concerning cost is the one to children who will not receive the services they desperately need to succeed as learners.
The elementary and middle school counsellors meet after school on a monthly basis to share information and case consult. Sitting around the table are some newer faces bringing energy and ideas. Others have been in this school district for many years. With the disappearance of these positions there will be a loss of those years of experience and knowledge. Relationships with referral agencies and other service providers that have been built over time will vanish. The New Westminster School District will lose those who have developed expertise and gained experience to specifically care for the most challenged and vulnerable in our community. And the question will be asked, by us and others in the counselling profession, whether New Westminster values the work that counsellors provide.
Our request: We ask that the school board reconsider the cut to counselling positions in the elementary and middle schools. As counselors, we can find other jobs. Indeed our neighbouring school districts are currently recruiting. The children need to be the priority. In the end, no one wants the children and families of New Westminster who, when they most need vital support, find that there is little or no response available.
We appreciate your serious consideration of our request.
Sincerely,
Ron Allanach, Sharlene Briggs, Judeth Clark, Louise Evans, Stella Horbal, Shanti Jayarajah, Scott Macleay, Doreen Malcolm, Jane Osborne, Shirle Schweers.
