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Facilitator hired by NWSD and PACE

Aug 24, 2018 | 9:25 AM

Thanks to a strong partnership between the Northwest School Division (NWSD) and local support non-profit People Advocating for Children with Exceptionalities (PACE), local families will have some extra support.

The two organizations have jointly hired a communications support associate for a one-year pilot project contract. This new employee will be the facilitator between local students and their families and their schools, when needs arrive for children.

Bluesette Campbell, a member of PACE and chair of the education committee with the organization, said the aim is to increase the quality of inclusive education for students and their family.

“We’re really just facilitating good communication,” she said. “An unbiased third party which can say ‘The school division offers this service, this family has these hopes and dreams’ and how can we meet in the middle and figure out what is best for the child.”

Hiring for this position took roughly three years, she added, and many people worked hard to make the recent hire possible.  

Jennifer Williamson, superintendent of student services with NWSD said the division is thrilled for this new development as well. She said Barb Friesen, who was hired for the position, will fit the role well.

“The associate will bring both sides’ agendas to the table and meet in the middle,” she said. “It’s so important to me and the division to come up with a mutual solution. And Barb does things in a respectful, positive way.”

Friesen was chosen for the role after working in early childhood education for the last 15 years and raising her own child with special needs, who is now 29-years-old. She said she’s motivated to offer support.

“I’ve been working with families for a long time, and I just want to see children succeed in school,” she said. “We have a great community, and PACE and our school division have a great working relationship. We’re going to do nothing but good things.”

 

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca

On Twitter @ReporterKath