Trends and Impacts at Thousand Island Secondary School

By

Braiden Willett

Field Placement Seminar IV

CAYW1023

Laura Desousa

*Mark on Blackboard*
Introduction

The following report will be looking over the trends and impacts in a high school

based setting at Thousand Island Secondary School. The research on this high school

will consist: The history of the school, the role of the Child and Youth Care Practitioner,

the mandate and scope of clients being served, the themes and trends and the key

elements within TISS

History

Thousand Islands Secondary School (TISS) is a public high school in the city of

Brockville, Ontario located on 2510 Parkdale Ave, Brockville, ON. Also the most

populous high school managed by the Upper Canada District School Board. Most

famous for the success of their athletic program and the exploits of Canadian

Olympians, the school has been a part of the Brockville community for 50 years. TISS

has an enrollment of approximately 2,500 students and offers a wide range of

programs. Principal, Vice Principal, Educational Assistants, Child and Youth Care

Workers, Teachers, Guidance Counsellors, Secretary, Librarian, and even janitorial staff

all attend TISS as well. The school offers a full complement of academic, technical and

arts courses in addition to skill/ trades programs. The school also has many other

unique programs such as Advanced Placement, Integrated Math and Science, and the

International Studies Program which allows students each year to travel to locations

such as Nicaragua, Germany, Greece, and Italy. TISS is not only home to students from
grades 9 through 12, but also has a wing within the school dedicated to its grade 7 and

8 students. The athletics program at TISS is arguably the best in Eastern Ontario and

one of the best in the country. The school has captured an incredible 110 EOSSAA

championships and over a dozen OFSAA championship banners, 7 in the last 3 years

alone. Several past TISS Pirates have represented Canada in track and field,

basketball, football, and cross country. Aside from all the success in sports, this school

is committed to increasing student achievement in the areas of numeracy and literacy

and have introduced the Improvement Plan for Student Achievement (SIPSA) in both of

these areas. It is in the schools best interest to educate young minds and bring forth

students full potential. The United Way supports many programs and services which are

of benefit to students, families, and staff and community members of the UCDSB. The

United Way and The Upper Canada District School Board have funded a variety of

programs including: Brockville & District Association for Community Involvement St.

John Ambulance Brockville, Leeds & Grenville Mental Health Services Fun With

Books, Canadian Mental Health Association of Leeds and Grenville, Community &

Primary Health Care Lanark, Leeds & Grenville Family and Childrens Services,

Brockville Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Association, Epilepsy & Seizure Disorder

Resource Centre Brockville & Area YMCA, Connect Youth, North Grenville Accessible

Transportation Kemptville Youth Centre, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Leeds & Grenville

and many more.

Role of the Child and Youth Care Practitioner

The Child and Youth Care Practitioner in the educational setting can have many

roles or jobs within the school. Some may have the title of a CYW (Child and Youth
Care Worker) others maybe an E.A (Educational Assistant). The position titles may vary

depending on the school, school board, student, and the students needs. As an E.A/

Child and Youth Care Practitioner, Many work with students who have special medical

concerns and need health-related care throughout the day. These workers work within

the school side by side with children who generally need extra assistance in class or are

located in the special needs classrooms. Many workers with the E.A or CYC job title are

assigned to specific students/clients that they are to look after and ensure that their

educational needs are being met. The roles of these jobs would be to advocate for their

clients best interest and look after their needs. They use their knowledge of the

surrounding community to help students families that are in need financially,

academically, socially, emotionally, mentally, and even physically. Other duties may

include some form of documentation that would need to be completed. The most

common forms needed to be filled out by an E.A or CYC is the Violent Incident Report

form. This form is a two page document that is to be filled out when a violent incident is

taken place on school grounds. Majority of the time the form will ask for the basics such

as the date and time of occurrence, then it will go into more detail asking for students

name/names, reasons for the violence and etc. This form can also be used for incidents

involving teachers, students from other schools, other staff members, basically anyone

who has taken place in a violent act on school property. There are a variety of different

programs that a person could take and still apply for this job. Courses such as: Child

and Youth Care Practitioner, Social Service Worker, Behavioral Science, and Early

Childhood Education almost all fall under the same job description with minor tweaks on

how they are taught to deal with clients and situations.

Mandate and Scope

At TISS, Their mission is to provide a diversity of academic, social and extra-

curricular opportunities for all students as they work to realize their maximum potential.

The principles of integrity and the awareness of the needs of others will be at the

forefront of any T.I.S.S. endeavour. Both staff and students will exemplify the qualities of

respect, leadership and community service as our students acquire the skills and

knowledge to become productive citizens in the new millennium. To register, a parent

and or guardian is to visit the school and fill out a few documentation forms along with

bringing the potential students birth certificate and immunization records. There is no

registration fee to attend this school. The school must be notified on any previous

Individual Education Plans or other special needs accommodations to better assist the

student.

Trends and Themes

There are a number of trends and themes taking place at Thousand Island

Secondary School. Most having a positive impact on students. Over the past few years,

TISS has introduced the TISS- Braves program that is a specialized opportunity

available to exceptional hockey players in senior grades. It allows athletes to

personalize their academic programming to allow for training time while meeting

academic goals. TISS is also a home for international students coming in from

difference countries such as China, Greece, and even Italy. Another Theme that TISS

offers is its very own TISS Learning Centre. This Learning centre is a safe isolated

place away from the loud classrooms that allows students to come down and complete

their unfinished work or for extra assistance on work. Within the TLC, there is a room
specifically for math help and it also has E.As constantly circling the room asking

students if they need help. TLC is a place where students can escape the pressure of

the classroom and relax.

Three Key Elements

The elements that stood out for me most during my research would have to be

the TLC, the Hockey Skills Academy, and Math Centre. I really enjoyed hearing how

TISS opened up a space for those who find the classroom to be a stressful

environment. Although most students can handle being within a classroom, some just

cannot bring themselves to focus and do their best work when the rowdiness of the

class is conflicting with their concentration. It also allows them to receive a lot of extra

help on assignments and even proof reads to ensure the students maintain successful.

Secondly I admired the fact that TISS has a program specifically for traveling students

who have come to play Hockey for the Brockville Braves. This program properly

accommodates to the school curriculum and is flexible with the schedule of these

athletes. They understand that school is still important but is also allowing them to

further their skills in a sport they are passionate about. And finally the math centre within

the TLC. I believe this was a wonderful idea because math is by far one of the hardest

subjects for a handful of students. Giving students the opportunity to better their

mathematic skills and receive one on one help. They also allow students take math

tests in there with a math teacher there specifically to help them with questions.
Conclusion

In conclusion, the above report clearly states some of the many trends and

impacts the schools decisions have on their students. Some of these decisions may

have a possible negative effect on students but the goal is to make sure every student

receives the best education possible. At TISS, I believe they are doing very well when it

comes to presenting opportunities for children to receive extra assistance when needed.

As a Child and Youth Care Practitioner, It is our duty to ensure that their students

succeed and make sure all of their needs are correctly met.