email
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The REAL School started the year with a full enrollment of 42 students.  With several staff positions tenuous this provided a challenge to the school that was quickly met by the staff.  Additional to the numbers of students, it was quickly apparent that the students now being referred to the REAL School were changing in their needs and attitudes.  A higher percentage of students were special education, and they were more severe in their needs for individualized approaches and motivation to address their ‘issues’.  It was also clear that students being referred to the school were older and more entrenched in their patterns of non-compliant behavior.

These increasing demands were matched by the enthusiasm and experience of the teaching staff.  An indication of how successfully these demands were met can be seen in the small attrition rate of students throughout the year.
 
 

Highlights of the Year

Trek Across Maine

A number of students worked with Andy Greif – the school counselor, to participate in the Trek Across Maine – a cycling event in which participants raise money for the American Lung Association.  Participation involved a commitment to train, fund raise, work together and mix with the community.  It was a difficult project to complete but as a result the team received widespread recognition of their efforts and a real sense of accomplishment.  Participation in next years Trek has been expanded.

Vietnam War/Student Protest Movement of the 60’s

This curriculum was developed by John Merrifield – an Ed Tech III at the school, as his final undergraduate project.   The program involved cooperation and involvement across the community and culminated in one team taking a veteran down to Washington DC to visit the Vietnam Memorial for the first time.  The project received widespread media coverage and captured the interest of people right across the Maine community.

More highlights . . . . . . . . . . .

Boatbuilding

With some interest in the America’s Cup, one team launched themselves into a boatbuilding project.  As a result a 14’ shellback dinghy was completed in time for each of the students to take it for a sail on Sebago Lake in the spring.  Throughout the course a variety of community members came into the school to assist the students, and following completion and testing of the boat, it was sold to a very happy sailor who was impressed immensely with the quality of the construction.
 

Flexible programming

A number of students experienced problems adjusting to the demands of education – even in an alternative setting such as the REAL School.  Responsibility was impelled upon them through a number of approaches such as creating individual participation times, mediation, in school reflection, anger management and special course structures.
 

Winter programs

Students who were up-to-date in attendance, work completion and discipline plan were able to participate in a biweekly ski throughout the winter.  A number of students, although initially uncertain about coping with the challenge of learning to snowboard, persevered and through their motivation and determination finished the season with a new skill developed and a sense of mutual support from their peers.
 

Into the future

The demanding needs of the students continue to direct our attention.  As a result of a number of staff workshops it has been decided that bringing students to a point of readiness for a committed and motivated participation in their learning is a great priority.

In looking a programs and approaches that effectively turnaround the attitudes of adolescents the REAL School will adopted the Wilderness Enhanced Program model as part of it overall strategy for working with the students.  To assist in implementing this a Therapeutic Adventure Coordinator has been appointed to the school - Rod Nadeau.  Rod is a family therapist, clinical psychologist, Maine river guide and has worked extensively throughout the past year with the REAL School students in a number of capacities.

The Wilderness Enhanced Program is not an activity program nor is it a program of adventure based counseling.  Students are placed in situations in which self responsibility and commitment are necessitated and staff work not so much in support but as indirect guides as students are impelled to find their own solutions to the problems which the environment has imposed upon them.  The process created by this imposition can be drawn out and developed in the classroom, in individual interactions and with further counseling.  As a basis for the approach solution focused intervention including narrative therapy provides a helpful framework upon which to work.

The approach has had much success in Australia - where it has been operating in a number of states for ten years, and has received international interest and support.

We also welcome a number of new staff into the school. They bring a wealth of creativity, enthusiasm and experience.  Therefore, as the demands of alternative education increase, the REAL School is poised to consolidate it’s strong history of effectively working with difficult students; and move forward with a new direction, to challenge students into a readiness to take responsibility for their continuing education and their worthwhile contribution to the community.