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BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO, FEBRUARY 14, 1979 SECTION TWO Vioe Principal Discovers Sehool Attendance Improves if Staff TShows Concern By Maureen Corkery Students who miss school fail. It is this basic reality which led to the introduction of Bowmanville High School's successful program to combat absence. The program, initiated by vice-principal Terry Hawkins, has been in operation for two years and has been so suc- cessful that Bowmanville High School has one of the lowest absentee rates of any school of its kind for miles around. Dr. Hawkins said most teachers realize students who do not attend school regularly are more apt to fail than those who do go to class every day. This is not a startling fact and research he did on the subject in 1977 backs it up. The vice-principal's role in a high school bas traditionally been to look after attendance, explained Dr. Hawkins in an interview at the school. "This has to be the dullest thing in the world." When there are 800-900 students in the school, he was able to bandle attendance by himself but when the student population reached upwards of 1,000, "I found I was run- ning all day. " It was at this point Dr. Hawkins recognized a better system had to be devised. "It's important to get the kids here," he said, "but we shouldn't spend our whole lives doing it." The need for a more ef- ficient system of looking after attendance plus a concern over unnecessary academic failure caused by absen- teeism, led Dr. Hawkins to in- troduce an improved atten- dance program at Bowman- ville High School. Writes Book Because his procedures have been so effective in reducing absenteeism at Bowmanville High School, Dr. Hawkins decided to share -them with his colleagues in a book he wrote entitled, Gone Fishing. ,The book has been made available to each board of education throughout the province and the response from these boards, their trustees, principals and teachers has been very good. "I never intended it to be a best-seller but it has sold beyond my expectations," said Dr. Hawkins. The 20-page book is in its second printing. Although geared toward secondary schools, there is no reason the suggested methods, with variations can't work at the elementary level he stressed. In the book, Dr. Hawkins states that the attendance procedures at Bowmanville High School are "based on the premise that the school can vastly improve attendance by a caring philosophy backed by efficient routines which make use of the talents of the entire school staff." "Caring Attitude" A caring attitude is basic to the success of this attendance program. "The school must show genuine concern," in- sisted Dr. Hawkins, "and this concern must be com- municated to the student." Prompt action by the school when a student is absent, said Hawkins, and insightful at- tendance counselling shows the student the school cares and "will greatly assist in fin- ding and eliminating the cause of absence." "Most students will agree that if they want to pass, being here is one of the first steps," asserted Dr. Hawkins. "We try to communicate to them that we are genuinely in- terested in their success." "When students skip they really don't do very much," Dr. Hawkins said. They usually go to Oshawa because in a town the size of Bowman- ville, there is a greater chance their parents or people they ~~now will see tbem. In tbe varmer weatber, many go fishing in Wilmot Creek. "It tends ta be unbappy kids wbo skip," he explained. "In probing for the cause of absen- teeism, one must examine a wbole range of possibilities." Perhaps the student's courses are too difficult or maybe he is afraid of getting beaten up. Possibly bis parents are breaking up their marriage. Many students, he added, miss school because they work evenings or are behind in tbeir assignments. Once the reason for absence is realized, the problem can be dealt with. Dr. Hawkins said he has often found it necessary ta refer students ta the guidance department for counselling. "We don't win them aIl," he said, "but knowing someone is cancer- ned usually helps the student." Staff Volunteers Staff volunteers are relied upon to follow up attendance problems. Dr. Hawkins said the system at Bowmanville High School began with one or two volunteers and the num- bers gradually grew. "There is a desire on the part of a lot of teachers," observed Dr. Hawkins, "to be involved other than just in the classroom." Getting the staff involved in this type of program gives them a better overview' of the absence situation. They appreciate the many different reasons why students are absent. They don't put each case down to laziness. Through their involvement in attendance counselling the teachers learn valuable coun- selling and de-escalation skills. "They learn not to overreact," said Dr. Hawkins. Rather than confronting the student who has been absent, the teachers have learned how much more effective it is to react calmly, get to the real source of the problem, then work towards solving it. The "blue sheet system" is used to determine just when and how often each student misses school. Dr. rerry HawKns "Blue sheets" are sent from each class to the office daily. They are then distributed to the attendance counsellor. When an attendance coun- sellor gets a blue sheet, he finds the student and talks to him or her. He writes the rea- son for the absence along with actions he has taken on both top and bottom portions of the blue sheet. The top portion is sent to the teacher who taught the class which was missed and the bottom is retained for future use by the attendance coupsellor. "In the two years that this system bas operated at Bowmanville High School, Dr. Hawkins pointed out, "every Foundation for single blue sheet has been acted upon. The results of this consistent action is'a reduc- tion in class and school absen- teeism." Blue Sheets Successful And, "after one year of operation on the "blue sheet system", many teachers reported that they had not had an absent student in over two months." It is important, said Hawkins, to involve the par- ents in this process, "because they care. Parents send their children to school and expect them to be there." Daily phone calls to the homes of students who are ab- sent are conducted each mor- ning and afternoon. The result is a rapid drop in absenteeism. "The result of the students knowing that each absence will be followed up with home contact, produces remarkable attendance resuits," he stated. At Bowmanville High School. parents are contacted the first time a student skips. "We talk to the student and we talk to the parents - no deten- tions, no punishment, no threats, yelling or anger. We explain to the student why skipping will not be tolerated." We explain that if they are frequently absent, they in- crease their chances of failing and tell them we don't like to see them fail. "More and more," said Dr. Hawkins, "they are believing we are sincere." The parents are also asked to talk the problem over at home, preferably with no punishment or anger. If a student skips a second time, the parents are asked to come to the school where a meeting with the vice- principal, the student and the attendance counsellor takes place. suspensionis Rare If the parents refuse to come to the school for an interview, the student is suspended for truancy but this happens very rarely. "I believe in consequen- ces," said Dr. Hawkins. "If you've tried everything to help a student who is frequently absent with no results there must be consequences. That's just life. We don't do kids a favor by sheltering them totally but, considering their age, we have to bend a bit and try to help them." "I'm a firm believer in teaching by example," he said. "When dealing with at- tendance and associated discipline problems, it is im- portant to examine what one's example is teaching the students. How one treats his students may well determine how that student will treat other people now or in the future." Toronto BOWling for Checking the score are Bob Willsher (left) President of the Newcastle Newcastle Mayor Garnet Rickard and Durham East MPP Sam Cureatz Village Chamber of Commerce and Ray Simser, Principal at the chat with little brother Jeff Garrett and Lionel Parker, president of Big Waverley Gardens Public School. Brothers of Newcastle Judging from the number of persons who tur- ned up for the Big Brothers Celebrity Day bowling last Saturday afternoon, this year's "Bowl for Millions" should be a success. About 25 persons took part in the annual event which was held at the Liberty Bowl onBase Line Rd. Celebrities included Newcastle Mayor Gar- net Rickard, Durham East MPP Sam -Cureatz and Councillors Ann Cowman ahd Bill Clarke. Funds raised by the bowlers will gotowards the Big Brothers organization. Lionel Parker, president of Big Brothers of Newcastle, explained that the organization is in its third year. There are now six matches bet- ween little brothers and big brothers in Newcastle, Mr. Parker said another 10 boys are waiting for a big brother. The group would be interested in anyone wishing to get involved in the Big Brothers organization. "We can never get enough big There was plenty of action in the lanes. brothers" Mr. Parker said. Spectators, bowlers and scorekeepers. Rotarians Learn of Fort York's I By Donna Fairey interesting accaunt of the belped make Canada's earhy Without the foresight, Rotary Club President Earl Fort's historical significance history came aive. courage and determination f Wolff commanded a visiting ta Ontario and ta Canada as a Foundation for Toronta aur predecessors and the Fort York guard to use his nation. Old Fort York vrtualy laid establishment f Fort York, musket on anyone caught In bis presentation ta the the foundation of what bas there could be no thriving snoozing during a presen- Rotary Club, Colonel W. Nor- become one Of Canada's finest metropohis of Tornto, or tation on the fort's history at man Wright showed sides cities. Toronto was chosen as perhaps fi Canada at all, the Rotary Club's regular depicting the fort's heritage. the site for the fort because of stated Col. Wright. meeting last week. Corporal Mike Wyie, the Fort its ideal harbour and it was- The War of 1812 was not ta Fortunately this precaution York guard witb the musket from bere that British he the last war fought at the proved unnecessary. Fort and uniform of a British Grenadiers held off the in- fort. Over the years, a suc- York's First Honorary Com- soldier in the earhy 1800s ac- vading Americans in the War cession of battles have been mandant gave a cohorful and anm CoFr'sistoriral gWrihtance 'I r- Councillor Ann Cowmandisplays fine technique in this throw. Iistory waged to preserve the restored military site from the hands of progress. Another Battle The second major battle oc- curred in 1906 when the city fathers decided that streetcar tracks were to be laid right through the middle of the fort to make an access route to the C.N.E. grounds. The historical society dug in and stood their ground, managing to save the fort from destruction. In 1958 city planners again eyed the fort as an auspicious route for the Gardiner Ex- pressway to wind through. With public opinion on their side, the historical society again staved off any encroach- ment by developers to obliterate Old Fort York. It was even suggested that the fort be dismantled and reconstructed at Toronto's lakefront, however, its future was preserved for posterity and the fort still stands on the original site. Opinion that progress has its own reward did not prevail in this instan- ce. Open Year-Round Fort York is now a restored historical site which is open to the public year round. Tourists can re-live sights and sounds of life in an early 19th century British garrison. Thirty young men simulating grenadiers of the period act as guides and in recent years, a fife and drum band was formed as an added attraction. Only a half dozen of these guards are main- tained on a full time basis. The dedication and deter- mination of historic-minded Canadians have preserved Fort York and its unique claim to fame -- original buildings on the original site. Collect 407 Units at Blood Clinic Red Cross Blood Donor Clinic Chairman, Fred Griffin, centre, discusses last Wednesday's blood blitz with Councillor Ann Cowman and Mayor Garnet Rickard. Last Wednesday's Red Groups of local high scbooh keeping the branch alive but Cross Blood Donor Clinie was students from Bowmanville could use volunteer help from the second most successful in and surrounding area'turned individuals, groups or clubs. the history of the Durham out ta support the bhood blitz. East Branch. Red Cross branch workers Representing the Town of were assisted by the Bow- Newcastle, Councillor manville Kinette and K-ette Maurice Prout officially open- Clubs with cinic clerical ed the clinic at 1:00 p.m. and work. The Memorial Hospital after the last unit was drawn Auxiliary tended the tea room. at 8:30 p.m., a total of 407 Mrs. Fred Griffin is current- people had given blood. ly President of the Durham In addition, 40 people with East Branch and stated that good intentions had their although the blood clinics are donations rejected for medical generallywell attended, much reasons. help is needed in the area of Blood Clinic Chairman Fred nch administration. Griffin, organized proceed- ings and the presentation of Red Cross Award certificates District Branch was cbartered and pins to various honored in 1939 and in 1976 the nam donrswh hd gve fom35was changed ta Durham East. THE HEART FUND donors wh had given from A dedicated few have been Group5of ocalatghochoo - --- ----- ---- - %,Ul. ni-lKlit allu of 1812. 1«Brothers