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22 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday July 28, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com CHISHOLM CENTRE - Reflections of a Student I recently had the opportunity of walking through Chisholm Centre on Cornwall Road. It had been over twenty years since I attended the Centre at its previous location. At that time, I was in elementary school and was having difficulty reading. My parents sent me for an assessment but I really did not want to go and see some doctor about school. I remember leaving Chisholm that day feeling like everything would be fine and that Chisholm would help me with my reading. I think it was the way that the staff dealt with me. I remember kindness, hot chocolate and Dad's oatmeal cookies. The tutoring did help and my reading was significantly better. I failed mathematics in grade 11 and I repeated the course at Chisholm and passed it. I was assessed again in grade 11 and the Chisholm staff compared my first assessment to the new one. I still had some attentional difficulties and the assessor gave me some great ideas for getting my work completed and told me that I would be able to attend University and that I could get some extra help through the University's special need's department. I went to McMaster and they allowed me to use a computer for all my courses and gave me extra time on examinations. My major was English! I was particularly interested in journalism and marketing. Ironic, isn't it? Here I am twenty years later, taking my own child for an assessment. A lot has changed. The Centre is significantly larger with several more programs but it really isn't that different. There was a lot of reassurance for my daughter and myself and the same hot chocolate and cookies were served. There doesn't seem to be a significant problem with my daughter so we have agreed to meet in a year to review her progress. After the assessment, I met with Dr. Howard Bernstein. He is a psychologist and the Director of the Centre and he conducted my assessment twenty years ago. I couldn't believe that he remembered me! I do have an unusual first name and red hair.... But still! He was just as I remembered; warm and outgoing. I can see why kids enjoy him and call him "Chief." We began chatting about the "olden days" and how much Chisholm has changed so I offered to write this article to let the public understand all of Chisholm's services. When I attended Chisholm, the staff of 18 worked in a 5000 square foot building. Today, there are 90 staff who work in beautiful 30,000 square feet building. Despite the huge increase in size, Chisholm still feels like the same friendly and professional setting that I attended years ago. I let Dr. Bernstein just talk about Chisholm Centre and highlight the areas of expertise. "We now offer so many programs that are staffed by such excellent people," beams Dr. Bernstein. When you were here for an assessment, I believe that we were the first organizations to actually give parents a copy of their assessment but accept referrals from physicians, educators and community agencies. We have considerable expertise with college and university students and complete many assessments for universities and colleges throughout the province." "We have always offered a strong after school and summer program with three students per class. We work with elementary, secondary and adult students. Tutoring is a lot more than sitting at the kitchen table. We complete an evaluation; write an individual program; review it with our teacher; follow the progress and meet with parents." Chisholm Collegiate is the name of our highly specialized high school. We see students for credits in groups of three or less. The diversity of their programs is remarkable. We have students who are gifted and are applying to major international universities. Their marks are in the upper 10% but they are so motivated that they want to be in the upper 5%. Other Collegiate students may also be struggling in a particular subject area and want to achieve a passing grade. Students attend our customized program full or part time. Chisholm Academy is our High School with 12 students per class. It's a small setting where students can be challenged realistically yet still achieve the benefits of a traditional high school in a warm and supportive manner. We see students with ADHD, specific learning disabilities, general weaknesses and those who want a fresh start at school. All teenagers have struggles but we do not admit students with primary behavioural problems into our Academy setting. We do, however, see children and families in counselling and have a department that deals with personal of children rearing, marriage and family concerns and personal issues. I found it fascinating that after 30 years of working with children and families, Dr. Bernstein still cares deeply about kids. I think that his kindness, style & energy pass throughout Chisholm Centre. I asked one well-dressed student in his uniform, "What do you think about the school and Dr. Bernstein? He replied, "the staff are always helpful and spend lots of extra time with you. You can always talk to the Chief and he always listens." When we arrived at home, I asked my child what she thought of Chisholm. She commented on the hot chocolate and cookies. I immediately thought of my own experience as a child and recognized how all those years of kindness and expertise have become the essence of Chisholm Centre. report. That was considered radical then, but today is standard practice. The actual psychoeducational assessment process is far more sophisticated and refined. We complete assessments not only for the public Chisholm Centre · 1484 Cornwall Road · (905) 844-3240 · www.chisholmcentre.ca