N.S.Y.S., "Y" coordinate pilot program

What will schools he like in 2001? How will cities look at the turn of this century? These are just some of the questions youngsters in the Roxboro "Children's Living and Learning" program have been discussing every Saturday morning along with high school and college student leaders.

The North Shore Youth Services, in conjunction with the West Island Y.M.C.A., runs the program at the Roxboro United Church for approximately forty-five youngsters between the ages of ten and twelve, mostly grade six students at the Roxboro and Kirkland elementary schools. The first phase of "Living and Learning" ended recently and Mr. Salvis and coordinator Mitch Rogers talked about the program. "In planning the 'Living and Learning' program, we wanted to get away from the usual type of program," explained Mr. Salvis, "and help the youngsters learn more about the world they live in."

The program, which ran from November 2nd until December 14th, is actually a pilot project to be used by the "Y" and North Shore Youth Services in planning future, large-scale services of a similar nature.

Eight youngsters from Riverdale, Pierrefonds Comp. and John Abbott College participated in the program as volunteer assistants.

The youngsters dealt a great deal with the future, particularly in terms of the environment and how the world might change by the time they are adults. The program philosophy is based on the principle of guided discovery. Children's Living and Learning works with the idea in mind that children are eager to learn about themselves and the world around them, explained the organizers. "This program endeavors to help children identify topics of interest and, with the help of trained program assistants, explore them."

"One of the first things the youngsters discussed in their Saturday morning meetings was education and how they'd like to see school changed," said Mr. Salvis. He added the children proceeded to design and build a scale model of what they thought would be the ideal school of the future.

Mrs. Rogers said one of the most exciting Saturday mornings was spent at the Manoir Roger Bernard, the senior citizens apartment in Pierrefonds. The youngsters who visited the seniors learned a great deal about how life was before the advent of modern gadgetry and jet airplane travel.

As Mr. Salvis pointed out, the experience was valuable to the youngsters in order that they might put into prospective some of their plans for the future. The Living and Learning program will continue at Roxboro United Church in January and will operate for a ten-week period. The organizers hope to include children in grade five and six in the coming version of the program rather than simply grade six children.

Mr. Salvis said he will be looking for volunteer animators between the ages of sixteen and sixty, for future programs and will be extending the program into Pierrefonds for youngsters.

Mr. Salvis praised the support that North Shore Youth Services has received from Roxboro United Church who have allowed the youngsters to use their facilities, not only for the Living and Learning program, but for diverse North Shore Youth Services' programs over the years.