Students at Bishop Smith Catholic High School (BSCHS) can explore career options in the health care field in a spacious new learning environment.
“The changes are truly remarkable and very reflective of the post-secondary environment,” says Teacher Carol Plue about her specialized classroom.
In March 2015, the Health Care course and the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) – Health and Wellness program relocated to a larger, remodelled classroom that provides much more room to carry out class activities. Features include a separate computer/work area, in-class hand washing, and a mock hospital room.
Students are enjoying the improved space. “We can experience more hands-on learning,” states grade 12 student Alisha Miller.
Classmate Taylor Souliere adds, “There’s so much more room to practice taking vital signs and blood pressure and role playing, and we can do hand washing in the classroom—it’s a good set-up.”
Guest speakers and field trips (e.g., visits to the nursing lab at Algonquin College) help round out the health care learning experience at BSCHS.
The focused learning can help students to decide the health care path is for them, and aid in choosing which career in health care they would like to pursue. Shawna Gallant confirms, “I know I want to follow a health care path and the course will help me to decide.”
Amongst the students in Plue’s grade 12 classes and the SHSM program, choices range from nursing to psychology, social work, and personal support worker to kinesiology.
The SHSM – Health and Wellness program can also give students an advantage when applying to college or university and in their first-year courses.
“Students in the SHSM earn certification, for example Standard First Aid and CPR, that is often required for college and university courses,” notes Plue.
Former SHSM – Health and Wellness student, Natalie Beaupre, fourth-year nursing student at Nipissing University in North Bay, visited the Health Care class to share her experience. She assured students, “You learn a lot of things in Mrs. Plue’s class that help in first-year university courses—terminology, anatomy, vital signs. I am very grateful to have had her class.”
Photo: Matt Brooks, Myra Giroux, both going into university nursing programs in the fall and Christina Barone (striped shirt) going into kinesiology all agree that the new classroom allows more hands-on experience and provides a good learning environment.
June 16, 2015
For further information, please contact:
Michele Arbour, Director of Education
Renfrew County Catholic District School Board
499 Pembroke Street West
Pembroke, ON K8A 5P1
Phone: 613-735-1031 or 1-800-267-0191
