Manachaban Middle School is excited to announce the introduction of an innovative, award-winning program for students next year.
The new program will be modeled after Cochrane High School’s Cochrane Healing Arts Time (CHAT) program, which started as a pilot in 2015 to help students dealing with anxiety and who were at risk of disengaging from school. The idea formed following a Student Orientation to School (SOS) questionnaire results that revealed a need for a program to help reengage some students in school.
Anne Kromm, Manachaban principal, said she is “excited” to see the program come to a school where it can “make a positive change.”
“The (students) are at an age where everything is changing,” she said.
“And resiliency is a huge piece of success.”
The non-mandatory program, operating on a referral basis, gives students a safe place to refocus on learning using the arts. This year, Grade 5 to Grade 8 students from Manachaban had the opportunity to give the program a test run with “positive” results.
“I liked that we got to go around the school and experience how it is to be a Cobra. I also like how everyone treated us like one of them. When I came back from CHAT, I was more focused and listened better,” said one Grade 6 student who took part in the program.
Kromm explained that while 80 per cent of students are doing excellent in the middle school, there is about 20 per cent who struggle in one or more areas.
“There is an opportunity to make change at a really good age level – it’s important to guide them in the right direction,” Kromm said.
“I think middle school age is a tough time, they are trying to sort out who they are in the world … I’ve seen a change in all of them. ”
Once referred, the students have the opportunity to attend the class or drop-in (depending on the need). The program is designed to utilize flexible instruction materials, strategies and techniques to meet the students’ needs. Instructors and facilitators offer students an alternative to “talking about” their problems by putting a paintbrush in their hands instead.
“The CHAT room is not a place to play around in but somewhere that teaches you to be a better person and leader. It also shows other people that you have the ability to change,” said another Manachaban Grade 6 student.
In the two years since the program’s introduction to Cochrane High School, it has been recognized by the Canadian Education Association (CEA) with a Ken Spencer Award. The award recognizes, among other things, the benefits of supportive learning environments that break down cultural barriers. The Cochrane Community Awards also named the program the 2016 Education Initiative of the Year.
While the principal said she doesn’t quite know how the program will look in a middle school, Kromm said she is looking forward to finding out.
