South Shore Schools Plus

South Shore SchoolsPlus, piloted in 2008, was initiated by the province to assist children, youth and families in Nova Scotia to succeed in school, as families and within the community.

The goal of South Shore SchoolsPlus is to deliver services to families in familiar, comfortable and welcoming locations - their local school.

Six schools in Eastern-Lunenburg County are involved in South Shore SchoolsPlus, including: Aspotogan Elementary School, Chester District Elementary School, Chester Area Middle School, Gold River-Western Shore Elementary School, New Ross Consolidated School, and Forest Heights Community School.  In addition, SchoolsPlus works with community groups, families and organizations, including: health, education, justice, and community services agencies.

South Shore SchoolsPlus currently run over 40 youth, community, and school-developed program. Programs respond to needs identified by youth, families and communities and are often developed by youth and their families with the support of the South Shore SchoolPlus team.

NEWS

Kids and Drugs
Kids and Drugs is a free five-week course offered to parents as an educational opportunity to learn more about this important topic. Child care is available. The next session, starting on Thursday, January 20, will be held at Bridgewater Junior/Senior High School from 6:30pm - 8:30pm.

Click HERE to view the information poster.

Gay Straight Alliance Conference at FHCS
On April 10, 2011 Chester Area GSA, from Forest Heights Community School, together with staff advisor Raymond Johnson, hosted a conference attended by GSA groups from around the province. Initially planned to host from the South Shore Regional School Board and Tri-County, the guest list expanded as groups from around the province, including HRM and Amherst requested seats.

Sponsored by South Shore Schools Plus, and supported by Chester Municipality Recreation, South Shore Labour Council, Tim Horton’s, Falcon Records, St. James Anglican Church Youth Outreach Committee, Mahone Bay, IBEW Local 625 Mainland Nova Scotia, Flag Canada, Eagle Canada, Nova Scotia Commission on Aids, Options and Opportunities students, Teachers of FHCS, Moms and Dads, William Nycum and Associates., Municipality of the District of Lunenburg: Community Recycling, Mr Brian Reed, FHCS Creative Soul, Ms Stephanie Caldwell and her Dance class, Mike Cook and Blake Bignal "Natural Faction", and the many students of FHCS. Chester area GSA wishes to express gratitude to: The Honourable Denise Peterson-Rafuse, Minister of Community Services; Mr Scott Brison, MP - Kings Hants; Ms Kelly Regan, MLA - Bedford-Birch Cove.

There were youth led workshops throughout the day, focusing on health issues, image, and awareness issues, and media. In workshops, youth from around the province developed a vision, examined what has gone well, what barriers exist, and what work needs to be done. An action committee was formed, which will work at a summer retreat to develop direction for the coming year.

Raymond Johnson led an adult education workshop focused on reviewing past history and developing positive healthy strong image. Adults taking the adult education workshop then attended the youth workshops able to participate through that lens. Adult attendees included GSA leaders, teachers, clergy, Minister of Community Services, Honourable Denise Peterson-Rafuse, parents and friends.

Health Harvest at FHCS
Recently, all high school students at Forest Heights Community School took an active part in discussions about their health needs as students, and in the investigation and development of onsite health services for their school. Sponsored by South Shore Schools Plus, and facilitated by Tim Merry, the event yielded information that will be analyzed by Shirley Burris, Schools Plus, Clare Fancy, who serves students with health needs at SSRSB, staff and students of the Forest Heights Health Committee. Together with partners, they will use the data to work toward effective onsite health supports at their school.

Invited adults, such as Tara Moore, Provincial Schools Plus Coordinator, Dwayne Provo, Health Promotion, and representatives from Chester area MLA Denise Petersen- Rafuse office, listened effectively, and supported the efforts of youth. Christina Williams, Health, announced the possibility of placing a nurse practitioner at the school for a portion of time. Sexual Health Centre services will also be onsite half day every two weeks. Students were pleased to hear these announcements.