Dear Radisson Park families.
The African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child", reminds us of the importance of schools, families and community coming together to support all children to be their best. With this in mind, we are very excited to announce that our community village has become bigger, as Radisson Park School has been selected to be part of the Integrated School Support Program (ISSP)!
What is ISSP? The Integrated School Support Program is intended to provide supports and services to address various needs within our school and community, with the goal of improved academic performance and the social, emotional, and physical well-being of students. It is based on a holistic approach, focusing on areas of nutrition, fitness, academic success and well-being to build a safe and strong community. This comprehensive health model aims to ensure that children have access to wrap-around supports at school. It includes meal programs, after school programs, structured physical education and access to a mental health professional, as well as other community supports, including a positive police presence.
ISSP at Radisson Park School: This program is funded by the Calgary Police Youth Foundation, and is a collaboration between Calgary Police Service, Calgary Board of Education, Calgary Catholic School District and the City of Calgary's Community and Neighborhood Services. Programs and supports currently in place at Radisson Park School, including meal supports and structured physical education program, will continue. Our ISSP partnership will support us to build a positive police presence, with opportunities organized for Calgary Police Service members to perhaps attend special events.
It will also fund a full-time psychologist for our school! We are very excited to welcome our new psychologist, Ashley Gobin. She will become part of the Radisson Park staff in early February and will work alongside teachers to support well-being. For example, Ashley may become part of PAThS lessons (Promoting Alternative Thinking Skills, our social-emotional learning program), or may support whole-class conversations about friendship skills, etc. She will also be able to work individually with students for required assessments or counselling, with parental consent.
We are so thrilled to have been chosen for this incredible opportunity, and are looking forward to working together to help our amazing students be even better!
Thank you for your ongoing support, and please join us in welcoming the Integrated School Support Program into our village!
