The Weyburn Central Division school board is considering funding for an in-school councillor for students with emotional and social problems.

Board members discussed the growing trend of children with special needs - including mental, physical, emotional and social needs - and how those needs could best be addressed by the school system.

"The bulk of the actual in-school work by a councillor or social worker would be one-to-one counseling," said Liam Choo-Foo, superintendent of curriculum and instruction for the Central division.

"There may be other opportunities to set up peer support groups for farm stress, divorced parents, and those kinds of situations, but the initial thrust of (the counselor's) component would be individual, one-on-one needs," he said.

Weyburn Central and Catholic school divisions are looking at sharing the services of a counselor. They are currently searching for money for the project, a portion of which could come from a grant from the Weyburn Child Action Plan.

The board provided their support for the idea but wanted some further investigation into grants from other areas. They plan to make it a part of their budget deliberations in the new year.

Board members got an update on the Role of the Schools task force, a provincial initiative studying the integration of education with other government agencies like social services and mental health.

"That's one thing that has become a larger issue in education - there seems to be more kids in school with a variety of needs," said director of education Al Boutin.

Boutin says the Central schools and office staff are already making connections with other agencies, but there's room for improvement.

"In terms of progress we've been trying to do it at the grassroots level, and now we're trying to do that at upper levels," he said.

Board members agreed there is a definite need for the school to provide more than education, considering the growing social problems kids face.

"We've been brought into this almost involuntarily, but we have to take on that role," said trustee Dan Vandenhurk.

"We already are," said board chair Donette Elder. "Any child that comes into our division, we have to meet their needs.

"The need is growing, and so it is the need for real dollars," said trustee Lionel Wanner.

Choo-Foo said the pressure for funding has shifted from curriculum to special needs and social-based problems.

"I see this as the next big area in terms of dollars for schools," he said.
Some of those social-based issues, such as drug and alcohol abuse, violence and anger management will be addressed through the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program at Queen Elizabeth School, beginning in January.

Two city police officers have received training in the program and are offering instruction to all Grade 6 students in Weyburn.

"I see another benefit having police officers in the schools talking to kids in a positive way and providing a role model," said Boutin.

Teachers from Queen Elizabeth have met with the officers to determine where material in the DARE program and health curriculum may overlap. This is the first time DARE will be offered in Queen Elizabeth School.