Hillcrest School’s student achievement and early learning intervention programs were brought to the boardroom table on Sept. 17 by the school’s principal David Gillingham and community connection co-ordinator Sara Pippus.
Aided by a host of supporting agencies such as educational consultants, school services counsellors, education liaisons, therapists, pathologists and aides, Hillcrest has become an example of positive events happening through desire and involvement.
Gillingham and Pippus took turns leading the presentation to the South East Cornerstone Public School Division’s board of trustees who fired several questions during the half-hour event.
Gillingham said Pippus played a critical role as the community education liaison who works alongside community partners and the students.
“It’s a student-centred program and Sara identifies the gaps and the needs and starts to remove the barriers for students who might be seen as vulnerable,” said Gillingham.
The need to connect with the families was vital and support staff were included in the overall programs too, he added.
A student services team, small in number but significant in scope, brings a different perspective to the school. Concerns are brought up then discussed and the attack begins, he said. Getting the families engaged becomes just one step in the process that makes the students and their families become more involved in the school. Every classroom gets the SWAT team of support at one time or another.
Pippus pointed out the value of the Hillcrest Breakfast Club that is open to all students and generally caters to at least half the school population with some students dining while others may just be visiting with them or occasionally partaking in the community-fueled program that is run by a team of 40 or more volunteers from various businesses and organizations around the city.
“I see friendships develop just because of this club. The kids get to see the adult volunteers on a different level and then sometimes run into them outside of the school and so they keep up the friendships. The adults sometimes track the kids they’ve come to know, and see how they’re doing after they leave Hillcrest,” Pippus said, adding that marked changes in behaviour and academic achievements have been noted once all kids start the day on a level playing field, meaning a full stomach and a little social interaction. She referred to it as “food equity.”
The kids come to the school prepared to dine, prepare or serve during the breakfast period, or they simply socialize with the others if they choose not to eat or aren’t scheduled to work in food preparation or serving.
After school clubs are also important, said Pippus who helps co-ordinate their events from 3:20 to 5 p.m. There have been Lego clubs, drama clubs, construction clubs and so on. She said they counted more than 40 over the past four years that have been initiated at the school.
“Clubs can translate into a diverse interest grouping in the school and serve as a great outreach to the families and even to those families who are going to send children to Hillcrest in the future,” said Gillingham. “It’s building a connection, so they see Hillcrest is already their school and they’re ready to engage.”
The Genius Hour in the regular school program translates student interests from the After School Club to the classroom and the kids are willing to invest in it, he said.
Pippus also co-ordinates regular family events that include monthly conference nights with the school’s community council that turn into events, not just a meeting.
There is an adopt-a-family program as well that helps the overall community back a family in a variety of subtle ways while preserving independence.
There is a garden project every year and, of course, Pippus noted, she spends a good deal of her time applying for grants and other assistance programs. She said with the sponsorship of the local United Way and others, she has always been able to find enough funding to keep the various programs and projects viable.
“My role, I guess, is to bring it to the kids, not just fill the pail, but we also want to light the fire,” she said in conclusion.
Gillingham and Pippus were thanked by South East Cornerstone’s chairwoman Audrey Trombley, who congratulated the school and the community team for their progressive thinking
and activities.
