North Battleford, SK. teacher sheds light on school struggles with violence and mental health | 24CA News
In lower than two weeks, courses will resume for college students throughout the province. While it may be an thrilling time filled with recent begins, it’s turn out to be difficult for North Battleford trainer Jackie Kroczynski.
“You always want to improve on the year before. You always want to do better, but sometimes it feels like you’re just plugging holes,” she added.
Jackie Kroczynski has been instructing for 26 years, 10 of them at North Battleford Comprehensive High School.
Since returning to the classroom from COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, she mentioned she seen a rise in violent altercations.
“There have been several, a little more high-profile incidents of violence, including a stabbing that took place last September,” she defined.
“There are routine fights. There are routine incidents with students coming to school intoxicated. There are routine incidents with things like bear mace. There have been a couple of incidents with students coming to school with false weapons, pretend weapons,” she defined.
Kroczynski appreciates the efforts of the college administration in responding instantly and diligently to the incidents.
She believes there aren’t sufficient helps accessible for college students navigating lecture rooms in a post-pandemic world. She is asking the provincial authorities to pay shut consideration to what transpires in lecture rooms.
“Part of it has to do with difficulties with socialization. Kids are not used to being around other kids. Becoming accustomed to that again,” Kroczynski defined.
In addition to an increase in violent incidents, the college has additionally been navigating psychological well being challenges.
Global News has discovered that in 2017 some college students attending the college died by suicide with the newest incident earlier this month.
Living Sky School Division, which oversees North Battleford Comprehensive High School, confirmed in a press release:
“We believe that mental health is an important and complex issue and want to begin by expressing our deepest sympathies to the family and friends affected by the recent passing of one of our students. Supports are being made available for both staff and students affected by this tragedy at the school upon their return,” the assertion learn.
“In the past there was a period of extreme tragedy in The Battlefords where a number of students took their own lives. These tragedies were not solely related to our division and affected the whole community. Mental health is a multi-ministerial issue and Living Sky School Division is committed to working with local and provincial partners to support students in all areas of their lives. School is just one piece of a much larger puzzle.”
The assertion defined additional about trauma-informed coaching offered to workers to grasp college students or coworkers who could also be struggling.
“In our largest school, North Battleford Comprehensive High School, we have a mental health capacity building program with two dedicated staff members onsite that also offer support,” the assertion learn.
For Kroczynski, noticing indicators is one issue however offering assist has turn out to be troublesome with bigger class sizes.
“Our school works really hard at working to build those relationships with students and staff. And when you have classrooms that have really high numbers … 35, 36, 37 students in a classroom, there are lots of kids that sort of get left behind,” she mentioned.
Kroczynski doesn’t imagine that is remoted to her college, however a actuality for faculties throughout Saskatchewan.
The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation president, Samantha Becotte, sympathizes with each college students and workers.
“This is not the students’ fault. This is not the teacher’s fault. This is the fault of a system that is not adequately supported,” Becotte mentioned.
“They’re working their way through how they can express those emotions and sometimes they come out in the wrong way. And violence is one of those reactions. So we need to ensure that all students have the right support starting from a very young age where they can build in the strategies that help them cope,” Becotte added.
Becotte defined that the federation supplies skilled growth classes for academics to have the ability to give college students the instruments to navigate psychological well being crises.
She mentioned the province must allocate extra funding to violent prevention and psychological well being programming in faculties.
The Ministry of Education responded with the next assertion:
“The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to the safety and mental well-being of Saskatchewan students. School divisions are responsible for the day-to-day safety and well-being of students within schools. Schools work closely with local authorities such as the RCMP regarding violent incidents,” the assertion learn.
The assertion continued by explaining its help in accessing Mental Health First Aid Training, Kids Help Phone, Respect in Schools on-line coaching, and the ‘Be Kind Online’ grants and sources. Plus, the endorsement of the Violence Threat Risk Assessment which all college division directors are educated underneath.
“The Ministry of Education will continue to work with our school division partners to improve the mental health and well-being of students across Saskatchewan,” the assertion ended.
Despite the problem, Krocynski stays hopeful.
“One of the great things about being a teacher is the beginning of the school year always offers an opportunity for a new beginning,” Jackie Krocynski mentioned.
