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The
Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers
Teen Parent School Program
Bodhi Simpson, Director
(207) 873-4253
Bodhi Simpson, LCPC, ATR, Teen Parent School Program Director
The
Teen Parent School Program at the Maine Children's Home is an
alternative high school program for pregnant and parenting teens. Our
school program has been in existence since 1974. At the time of its
inception, it was the first school program of this type north of
Boston. The program provides prenatal and parenting instruction along
with academic and life skills courses. All students are registered as
Waterville High School students and work toward earning a Waterville
High School diploma. The Waterville Alternative Education program and
the Teen Parent School Program are located in Lunder Hall at the
Dorothy "Bibby" Alfond Campus and has four certified teachers on
location, and other teachers from Waterville High School come to teach
specific courses. A full-time Clinician is available to support
students with individual and group counseling. On-campus childcare is
also available, free of cost, to students while enrolled in our
program. This school program is open to all pregnant and parenting
teens statewide.
Achieving financial and emotional independence is a
tremendous feat in anyone's life. Early parenthood can make
the journey more challenging, but not hopeless. Our aim is
to remove as many deterrents as possible and then to build
on the strengths of each young parent. Our goal is to help
teen parents understand the concept of positive parenting,
to support and assist them as they learn to deal with
troublesome issues, and to provide a high quality and
relevant education so they can acquire the knowledge and
skills to move forward in a healthy life style.
How
do I register?
Anyone
who is interested in enrolling or obtaining more information
about the program should call the director of the school
program, Bodhi Simpson, at (207) 873-4253. If a teen feels that he or she is interested
in enrolling,
they need to register at the Waterville High School and talk to the
guidance department and let them know that they are interested in the
Teen Parent School Program. An intake interview will then be scheduled.
During the interview, the potential student will receive
an overview of the program and an intake form will be completed.
There will also be an initial assessment of whether this
program will meet the student's needs.
What
courses are offered?
The
following classes are offered: English,
US History, World History, Health, Prenatal Instruction,
Parenting, Independent Living, Cultures and Cuisines, Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Biology,
Physical Science, Government, Fine Arts,
Career Exploration, PE, Creative Design, Business Math,
Pre-algebra, Psychology and Work Experience.
All
students also participate in a weekly support group session.
This group time includes guest speakers, presentations on
pertinent issues, and general discussions.
How
much will it cost me to attend this school?
There
is no cost. However, students are charged for textbooks
and school materials that are not returned.
What
is the size of the classes?
Our
classes have between 5 and 20 students. Most classes have
fewer than 15 students.
What
do I do about childcare for my child while I'm in school?
The Children's Place is an on-site childcare center for
infants, toddlers, and pre-schoolers that is free of cost to teen parents attending our program.
How
will I get to school?
Students
are expected to have transportation to and from school. If
transportation is an issue, the director will help students find
transportation services. Occasional transportation to and from school
is available, on a limited basis, to students who live within a
five-mile radius of the school AND who have no other means of
transportation.
Will
I receive any help with college plans?
Students
receive help with college planning from the Waterville High
Guidance Office and from the director of the teen parent
school. Education plans are formulated and reviewed with
each student. Field trips to local colleges are included
each year.
"The Program That Changed Us All"
There's a program you all would know,
It helps parenting teens as they grow.
There's childcare, moral support, and education,
This place is so wonderful; it helps us with all the frustration.
We all go through some prety bad twisters,
Because of thiis we are close, like family, like sister.
The teachers are wonderful and always there,
With them there is nothing we cannot share.
They have helped us to control our anger and our stress,
So our lives and our children don't become lost and a mess.
They have made us better parents and taught us well,
It's going to be so hard to say farewell.
We thank them so much and this is true,
Thank you Teen Parent School Program, because of you, we definitely grew.
Written by Lea Hartin, 2006
Dedicated to the Teen Parent School Program
at The Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers
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