Saint John High School course for newcomers aims to boost attendance, build connections

CBC
·4 min read
Student Natty Kelay is part of a course at Saint John High School that looks to build relationships between newcomers and the greater community. (Julia Wright/CBC News - image credit)
Student Natty Kelay is part of a course at Saint John High School that looks to build relationships between newcomers and the greater community. (Julia Wright/CBC News - image credit)

A new program called Elevate at Saint John High School, focused specifically on newcomer students, has a special curriculum designed to boost attendance, resilience and connection to the community.

Before attending the course, Grade 10 student Shahad Al Haj was having trouble attending school.

"Honestly, I was having a hard time with classes," she said. "I would think, 'I don't want to come here' like, maybe [because of] an assignment or a test."

Originally from Lebanon, Al Haj came to Saint John in 2016. She's one of the students taking the Elevate course, which now consists of two afternoon classes.

Having emigrated to Canada 14 years ago, guidance teacher Reem Bafail uses her experience with students to mentor them through challenges they face.

Guidance teacher Reem Bafail knows what it's like adjusting to life in Canada, and helps guide Elevate students through the process.
Guidance teacher Reem Bafail knows what it's like adjusting to life in Canada, and helps guide Elevate students through the process.

Guidance teacher Reem Bafail, seen here in Elevate's sensory-friendly space, knows what it's like adjusting to life in Canada, and helps guide students through the process. (Julia Wright/CBC News)

Attendance levels are a concern throughout New Brunswick.

A report issued by the province earlier this month said 45 per cent of middle to high school students in the Anglophone system are absent from school for more than 10 per cent of scheduled school days.

Bafail said young newcomers attending school may be particularly at risk of missing school.

"I found that most of them are really not connected to the community," Bafail said.

"They just don't know anyone, their parents are not sure about what to do … seeking help is not easy for some cultures, especially trying to adapt to this new town for them."

It's a gap guidance counsellor Mallory Cunningham has seen grow wider every year.

WATCH | 'We are seeing an uptick in attendance':

That's why Cunningham and Mary Ashton, another guidance counsellor at the school, applied for federal dollars through the Building Safer Communities Fund.

The application was approved and the school received $900,000, to be spread out over three years. To start, the school built a new, sensory-friendly space.

Principal Christina Barrington said the Elevate course is based on a curriculum by Dalhousie University professor Michael Ungar.

While the school began offering it in February, she said the course has been in development for about 18 months and focuses on teaching resiliency skills.

"Sometimes when students have either experienced a lot of movement in their life, could be some trauma, then their attendance at school can be sporadic depending on what kind of triggers we create in our system," Barrington said.

Out of the 138 rooms in the 200-year-old building where it was discovered, most would be considered hard-to-reach areas, likely requiring a ladder.
Out of the 138 rooms in the 200-year-old building where it was discovered, most would be considered hard-to-reach areas, likely requiring a ladder.

Saint John High School applied for and received $900,000 to be spent over three years from the federal Building Safer Communities Fund. (Joseph Tunney/CBC)

Those vary from student to student, she said, but could range from bells and fire alarms to unpleasant interactions with teachers if they arrive late.

The idea behind Elevate, the principal said, is to help students reduce those triggers or better cope with them.

That has already translated to fewer unexplained absences, she said, and given students a greater sense of connection to their school.

'A dream for every student'

For Al Haj, taking the course has helped her feel more confident and motivated at school.

"It helps with my attendance, my grades, and just me coming to school on a daily basis," Al Haj said. "For this class I will do anything, it's so much fun to be here ... This is a dream for every student."

Natty Kelay, another Elevate student, also spoke highly of the program.

Students currently attend two classes in the afternoon, but the high school will introduce a morning session as well this fall.
Students currently attend two classes in the afternoon, but the high school will introduce a morning session as well this fall.

Students currently attend two classes in the afternoon, but the high school will introduce a morning session as well this fall. (Julia Wright/CBC News)

"We do practice on breathing, making resumes, learning about the jobs and what is the news," said Kelay, who came to Saint John in 2019 from Sudan.

"School is the best. You know, you will find friends, and you'll find a job … if you don't speak English, anyway, you'll get better and better."

Barrington said the school will add a morning class as well this fall. She hopes to see a program like Elevate in other schools across New Brunswick.

"Almost every student who isn't attending school, there is something there behind it. We need more resources to tease it out and to be able to help each and every one of them."