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

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 studentShahad 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 nowconsists of two afternoon classes.

Having emigrated to Canada 14 years ago,guidance teacher Reem Bafailuses herexperience with students to mentorthemthrough challenges they face.

Attendance levels are a concern throughoutNew 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':

How do you get students motivated? Elevate, says Saint John High School

5 months ago

Duration 2:29

Elevate is the name of a new program at Saint John High that recognizes that many students especially those new to Canada face unique challenges. The program works by helping students make connections that provide daily motivation.

That's why CunninghamandMary Ashton, another guidance counsellor atthe school, applied for federal dollars through the Building Safer Communities Fund.

Theapplication 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 Barringtonsaid the Elevate course is based on a curriculum byDalhousie University professorMichael 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.

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.

"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."