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8 - The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, October 31, 2000 KMilton District High gives students a leg up Certification opens door to manyfields including nursing and child care work By LîSA CARTWRIGHT The Champion Milton District High Sehool (MDHS) has given its students an edge. The high sehool is the first in Halton Region to offer its students an opportunity to graduate with a Public Support Worker (PSW) certificate. The certification allows students t0 immediately work in nurs- ing and retirement homes, in the community and in hospitals, said Paulie Stavnitzky, who teaches the programn at MDHS. Formerly called a health care aid. a PSW is trained t0 assist nurses. And right now, there is a high demand for 'sorkers, Ms Stavnitzky said. That's because people spend Iess lime in the hospital and require the services of a PSW to, tend 10 their needs ai home. As weiI, older people are choosing 10 stay in their own homes rather than going mbt a nursing or retirement residence, said Ms Stavnitzky, who has heen a registered nurse for the last 20 years and a teacher for four. Ms Stavnitzky said the PSW program is nffered ai private schools and colleges ai a cost of $1,500 to $5,000. And il's usually only available 10 adulîs. No charge for programn 'his year, MDHS students are getting il for free. And the reason is 10 prepare ils students for the future, Ms Stavnitzky said. 'he PSW programn is valuable for a number of reasons. It offers students a chance 10 decide if they like the profession before they enter the field. It's also beneficial 10 students who do n01 want 10 pursue a higher educalion. When students take the program, lhey graduate with a high sehool diploma as well as a certification that enahies them lu immediately enter the PSW field and eam about $15 an hour. she said. 'Me certification also enhances a student's application for col- lege or university. "There is a lot of competition for programs," Ms Stavnitzky said. "They need someîhing which will enhance their applica- tion." Students who do not want 10 take the entire programn cao take the courses that interest îhem and use themn as one of the 14 elec- tives they need 10 graduate. Grade 12 student Amy Gray said shne decided 10 take the certifi- cale programn 10 help her with her future goals in medicine. Ms Gray said she either wants 10 be a veterinarian or a nurse. Eiîher way, the course has given her a head start, she said. "Il gives a lot of background information." Ms Gray said what she leamed in high school will make il easi- er when she entera post secondary educalion. "It will he casier for me 10 learo," sine said. The PSW program is open 10 Grade t11 students. In order 10 gel the certificate, students must finish with a 60 per cent average. Students who are taking courses just for a credit must paas with a 50 per cent. In order 10 gel the certificate, students have 10 complete three courses and two co-op placements. Students can choose how long il takes for themn 10 complete the programn, Ms Stavnitzky said. Common curriculum followed AIli schools that teach the program have 10 follow a common curriculum. The programn aI MDHS offers students an enhanced program, which includes more information. Studenîs who take the certification program leamn child devel- opment and gerontology. which shows students the different development stages; medical technologies, which teaches med- ical definitions; and medical health, which gives students practi- cal, hands-on experience in îhings such as changing dressings and bed bathing. Photos by GRAHAM PAINE Milton District High School Public Support Worker program students Saiiy Nicholis and Beeky Eariy (above) learn Infant feadlng and changing skiiis whil (beiow) Sarah McKinnon gets her mars checked by felrow student Katie wiliette. rdlr COEO1 rogramming Schedule - October 31st, 2000 - November 6th, 2000 *141,10 f i10 dhi hIM Ià% hF«bEm btblu.Vi. Fod!bi5$%î4 t~p& Pe i! [tmbm ?Md E. Tâslswd lp tupt* Ul -W mc www.cogeco.ca a.bd4dû 700 "W"~ L4 NORTH HALTON STUDIO *bàYlli.1 21 Main Street North, l Acton, ON L7J lV9 MW u aEtLm (519) 853-4700 uwFoature this week: "Meet Vour Municipal &Federai Candidates" Qbampton