Overview

AJ Smeltzer Junior High School is pleased to offer a Mi’kmaq Aboriginal Student Support Worker (MASSW) Program for students identified as having Aboriginal ancestry - Aboriginal refers to First Nation, Inuit or Metis.

The Halifax Regional Centre of Education (HRCE) developed the MASSW Program to help Aboriginal students achieve a more positive school experience and have greater success throughout their schooling.

- The role of the MASSW is to:
a) provide a safe office environment for Aboriginal students to meet, study or relax;
b) assist in developing strategies with Aboriginal students and school staff in achieving educational success;
c) promote cultural awareness to all students and staff;
d) create a communication strategy between Aboriginal students and others;
e) invite cultural guest speakers;
f) conduct student activities that encourage cultural learning in a group setting or, one on one situation;
g) assist Aboriginal students in the transition from one level of education to another;
h) attend meetings and other information sessions that enhance the educational and cultural needs of Aboriginal students;
i) provide other duties that are deemed beneficial to the Aboriginal students and school on a whole.

Office Hours of the MASSW - Theresa Meuse - 902-864-6846
Tuesday   8:00 am – 12:00 noon
Thursday   12:00 noon – 3:00 pm
Email:  theresa.meuse@hrce.ca

If your child has Aboriginal ancestry, we encourage parents to complete the following forms - Identification, Program Parent Consent, Media and Smudging Consent. You may print them off or, have your child pick them up from the MASSW or main office.