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5/4/2017 Public school board’s fullday coop proving to be life changing | Windsor Star
http://windsorstar.com/news/localnews/escapingclassroomfulldaycoopprogramprovestransformational 1/7
D AV E WA D D E L L , W I N D S O R S T A R More from Dave Waddell, Windsor Star (HTTP://WINDSORSTAR.COM/AUTHOR/DAVEWADDELL
WINDSORSTAR)
Published on: May 3, 2017 | Last Updated: May 3, 2017 10:14 PM EDT
Escaping classroom, fullday coop program provestransformational
Rachel Kell, a Grade 12 Walkerville secondary school student, at the Village at St. Clair, where she works as a coop
student, May 2, 2017. D A X M E L M E R / W I N D S O R S T A R
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Sitting in the Walkerville secondary schoolguidance office seeking advice on career pathways,Rachel Kell had her future arrive by email.
The public school board was looking for students interested in earning up to
five credits through a fullday coop program working in health care or in a
retirement home.
Kell jumped at the chance to escape the classroom.
“Now I know where I want to go,” said Kell, who will study social work and
gerontology at St. College Clair this fall.
“I have a goal and I know how to achieve it.
“I don’t know where I’d be without this coop program. I’d recommend it to
any student who is searching for a pathway and wants to try something out.”
Kell was sure of a couple things. She liked helping people and she had a soft
spot for seniors.
After going through the interview process, Kell was placed Feb. 23 at the
Village of St. Clair retirement home adjacent to St. Clair College.
The Grade 12 student is also taking a dual credit in health and wellness
through the college, giving her five credits this semester.
Kell said the program has been transformational.
“I enjoy getting up early to come here on the bus (from the Walkerville
area),” Kell said. “When I’m not here, I miss the people.
“For school, I’d be late and I’d think, ‘I’m going to be late, so I might as well
be a little later.’
“I admit I wasn’t a motivated student. I never liked school since I was young.”
The fullday program, which is part of the Public Alternative Secondary
School run by the Greater Essex County District School Board, has three
students this semester.
Over the past five years, it has had up to 12 students per semester.
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In addition to Kell, there are two students at Windsor Regional Hospital’s
Ouellette campus. One is volunteering in general healthcare and the other is
working in maintenance.
“The program is for students who may be at risk (of not graduating),” said
Tracy MitchellRobinet, who heads up the board’s cooperative education
program.
“A lot of students who are in fullday coop don’t enjoy the classroom, but
they thrive in the workplace setting. Coop can change lives for those still
searching for what they want to do.”
The challenge of participating in fullday coop, which entails working for six
hours per day for the entire semester, is it has to fit around any mandatory
credits in a student’s timetable. Transportation can also be an issue,
especially for county students.
It also requires a serious commitment in both attendance and attitude.
“The students coming to me often have 30 absences from school,” said
MitchellRobinet, who added any high school student in the public system is
eligible to participate.
“You can’t let the residents down,” she said. “It’s a serious commitment.
You’re in a real workplace with expectations and are working with adults.”
MitchellRobinet said there’s a huge need for students in retirement homes.
Demand for workers in the healthcare and longterm care fields will only
grow in the coming years. Statistics Canada released 2016 census figures
this week showing seniors outnumber children in Canada for the first time.
“We don’t have enough students to fill the gaps,” MitchellRobinet said.
For those willing to make the commitment, the payoú can be a lot more than
just high school credits.
“For some, it’s their first workplace experience,” MitchellRobinet said.
“These students all experience tremendous growth in the areas of
attendance, attitude and maturity level.”
Kell, who also works at McDonald’s, is one of those.
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She has excelled in her placement, prompting letters of commendation
being sent to her school.
“Rachel is a very caring person,” said 92yearold Marie Gleason, who has
been assisted by Kell in continuing her passion for writing.
“One of her characteristics is her connection to people.
“It can be holding a hand, a sympathetic arm around a shoulder, playing a
game or just walking with someone up and down the halls.
“Through her touch, she seems to reach some unreachable people. I’ve seen
it bring them alive.”
In addition to Gleason’s letter to Walkerville, her son Thomas wrote one
expressing the family’s gratitude for Kell’s care with him working in
Germany.
Recently Kell was also invited to a resident’s 90th birthday party by a family
because of the trust she’s built with a resident.
“I never imagined I could have such an impact,” Kell said. “I found a career I
love because of this coop program,” she added.
“I’ve definitely found my path and I found myself. I love myself a lot more.
“I realize I have strengths and have grown as a person.
“I’m much happier.”
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5 Comments Sort by
Amber ForteGrayer · Personal Support Worker at The Villages of St.Clair Schlegel VillagesRachel it's always nice to see your smiling face when I go to work. And the residents just light upwhen they see you. Keep up the great work!Like · Reply · 1 hr
Alice MariaWhat a phenomenon article, Rachel! Keep up the inspiring work you're doing!Like · Reply · 2 hrs
Sal Gignac · St. Mary's Academy, Windsor, Ontariothis is great Rachel...your smile alone would be so welcomed by the residentsLike · Reply · 9 hrs
Diana McFadden Tootill · General Amherst High SchoolIs this program available to teens with adhd? Is it geared only toward healthcare? What grade canit begin?Like · Reply · 12 mins
Nadine Michelle · École secondaire l'EssorRachel! This makes me so happy! I'm so proud of you!Like · Reply · 9 hrs
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