Support Full-time Position for Aquaculture's Guidance Counselor, Finette Lafontant

Are you aware that the Aquaculture School has no: school social worker, school psychologist or Special Education teacher? While there currently is a school nurse, it is uncertain whether there will be a school nurse for the 2016-2017 school year.

If your child has any problem/issue, s/he is likely directed to Finette Lafontant, Aquaculture's Guidance Counselor. For 20 years before this past school year (2015-2016), Aquaculture's Guidance Counselor position was full-time. Unfortunately though, due to ill-considered budget priorities/decisions, Ms. Lafontant splits her time between the Aquaculture School and a Bridgeport Elementary School. Presently, Ms. Lafontant spends only two days per week at the Aquaculture School.

There are approximately four hundred and thirty-one students who attend the Aquaculture School. Each student has diverse needs ranging from a potential family challenge to learning about/completing college applications/scholarship opportunities. Further, certain special education students have needs which require immediate attention by a trained professional who understands the student and the student's needs. We should not allow Bridgeport Public Schools to leave our students without proper services/resources.

We all know that students are not only academic beings but whole beings requiring support and direction to foster a positive connection between family and the Aquaculture school as well as future, post secondary opportunities.