Jan 27, 2007 By: Crystal Crimi
News Advertiser
DURHAM -- At south Oshawa’s Bobby Orr Public School, some kids cry because they don’t want to go home.
For some of the kids who laugh and run to the school’s front doors during the glistening morning sun, Bobby Orr is a place where they are just starting to learn how to dream.
Located just south of Simcoe and Wentworth streets, the school is surrounded by a mix of subsidized and new housing. In Durham, the majority of social assistance cases are in Oshawa, with a high concentration in the south.
“They don’t know there’s anything out there,” says Principal Peggy Jo Scott, dressed in a yellow and black hockey jersey for the school’s All Stars Program (Scholastics, Teamwork, Arts and athletics, Respect and Service) - just one of the events held at the school designed to help inspire kids.
As she walks through the school’s hallways, lined with posters enforcing positive morals and values, students run up, happy to see her.
“I haven’t been to the office at all,” says one boy, throwing his arms around her.
Another student brags about his high spelling test score and gives her a high-five.
“Come see me after recess for a treat,” says Ms. Scott.
“Me too,” smiles a little girl nearby.
Although Ms. Scott seems right at home at the south Oshawa school, her position came with a “total culture shock”.
“I didn’t realize there were so many kids that needed so much in this area,” says Ms. Scott.
At Bobby Orr, being principal means presiding over a higher population of students in special education and more behavioural problems.
“There are a lot of kids with behavioural problems because their life has been upset,” said Ms. Scott. She said one boy was acting up in class - a closer look into why, revealed his mother was arrested the night before and he had to wait up for her in jail.
“Each child has their story,” said Ms. Scott.
It took her awhile to recognize a lot of the behavioural problems were poverty based because parents try to hide it, she said.
“That pride is important to them, they’re doing the best they can,” said Ms. Scott.
In an area surrounded by cheaper housing, the school has single-parent families and custody issues as well. Bobby Orr Public School has had lots of association with the Children’s Aid Society as a result.
“In this type of population, this has to be a safe school,” says Ms. Scott. “They know we care.”
Teachers at Bobby Orr school learned to talk about the challenges faced by some of their students so the issues could be approached as a team. In the last four years, the school hasn’t had any staff turnover, except for one teacher who moved away.
When the school is hiring, it looks for kind people, not just teachers, who are willing to put in extra.
Since Bobby Orr opened its doors more than five years ago, staff has been able to identify students’ academic and behaviour needs. They’ve had professional development days about the impact of poverty on children and their different needs, as well as interaction with children and parents.
Programs in the school are designed to help students learn they can contribute to the community and feel good about themselves. Through the All Stars Program, kids receive certificates for participating in volunteer programs. For displaying values and respect, they also get rewards such as lunches and Oshawa Generals hockey tickets, donated by the team.
The school has lots of community partners: last year, a business provided 24 computers to give to families in the community; Costco provides backpacks with school supplies; Whitby Sunrise Rotary Club reads to students; the Kiwanis buys snowsuits and gloves; and local businesses donate money for things such as holiday turkey dinners. For the dinners, staff volunteer to prepare the meal and students can donate a toonie if they have one. The program allows everyone to have a turkey dinner.
“In a school that experiences some poverty, the holidays are a dreadful time,” said Ms. Scott. Some kids come from less-than-stellar home lives and school offers a safe place for them, she said.
Through the school’s tribal programs, students break into groups that include an adult representative who is a safe person to talk to.
“For those children experiencing poverty, that’s probably the best thing,” said Ms. Scott. “It also gives that staff person a chance to see what the student needs.”
Maurice Brenner, a former Pickering regional councillor and Durham child poverty advocate, said some people are embarrassed by their poverty, which is especially hard to hide in winter. Sometimes, kids will not wear a warm coat because it’s ripped, and may even stay home if it’s really cold, he said.
“That feeling of difference is still there and it leaves an emotional scar,” said Mr. Brenner.
Sometimes, the difference can cause parents and kids to be too embarrassed to accept a hand up. Instead of going on a class trip, kids may lie and stay home sick, then miss out on that social experience, said Mr. Brenner.
At Bobby Orr, staff get to know students and are able to help them pay for things such as school trips without them even realizing, said Ms. Scott. The school has a healthy snack program as well to ensure students eat something that’s good for them, even if it’s not available at home.
In partnership with Oshawa Community Health, recreation nights are provided at the school so kids can have fun with their peers, as well as have the chance to excel at something other than academics.
Many times, there is an unwritten policy by recreational programs to help youth participate, even if they can’t afford to, said Mr. Brenner. Sports involvement is healthy as it helps kids channel their aggression and interact with others, he added.
“There is anger, resentment, especially over custody battles,” said Mr. Brenner. He said separation is another contributor to poverty.
Sometimes, a child has both parents, but they have low-income jobs and work many hours.
“You have a lot of children who come home to empty houses,” said Mr. Brenner.
When school is let out at Bobby Orr, kids can stick around for homework time, in case someone is not available at home to help them.
“It might be a mom that’s trying to do two or three jobs to make ends meeting,” said Ms. Scott. “It might be the case where the mom or dad is illiterate.
“And sometimes, it’s a lack of understanding - maybe it’s a young mom,” said Ms. Scott. She said poverty can be a cycle and maybe the parents weren’t taught the value of education.
According to a recent student survey at Bobby Orr, 75 per cent of those who returned the survey said their parents and families didn’t read or like to read. This year, Bobby Orr Public School is having literacy night for parents.
Living in an diverse economic area can help students see how families out of poverty live and provide more for them to aspire to, said Ms. Scott. She added many parents in poverty are supportive of what their kids do, but might not know how to help.
In Ajax, Tracey Grose, a social worker with the Durham District School Board, helps make connections with parents in order to help their children.
“I’m the kind of person with the wheels outside the school,” said Ms. Grose. Along with making connections with social agencies and community groups, she helps families utilize services.
Instead of just handing them a card, Ms. Grose may go to their house, coach them through making the phone call and navigating the system, and help them with the appointment.
“Sometimes I go and wait in the waiting room,” Ms. Grose said.
When it comes to helping kids, family perspectives can be a challenge, said Ms. Grose. Not all parents encourage success, she added.
At J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate in Ajax, Reality Days are held to introduce students to different career options and professionals, said Ms. Grose. Schools also help students discover their strengths and weaknesses and get them involved in work placement programs. Through such exposure, kids can see there are choices out there for them.
In high school, two things happen, said Ms. Grose.
“They can sleeplessly go along with whatever path lies before them, or they can resist,” said Ms. Grose.
At Bobby Orr Public School, exposure to community role models is also provided, with professionals brought in to talk to students about their job and help give them something to aspire toward.
“The dreams are really important, they need something to work on,” said Ms. Scott.
“If they don’t have dreams, they don’t have a reason to be here in school,” said Ms. Scott.
With the motto ‘Dreams In Motion’, Bobby Orr Public School’s belief is that every student should have an opportunity to succeed, regardless of their family background, and should believe they are equal, said Ms.Scott.
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