Windsor high school holds prom for STEPs Students

The STEP program at Riverside Secondary School celebrated its first ever prom.

Students enrolled in the Skills To Enhance Personal Success (STEP) program in local public schools in the Windsor-Essex area were invited to their first “prom” celebrated at Riverside Secondary School. The theme: Stepping Up in Style.

It’s an event that - like all high school proms - involves dressing to the nines and dancing like no one’s watching.

Students and their support professionals took to the dance floor and enjoyed taking pictures in a “photo booth” - memories recorded that won’t soon be forgotten.

Claudette Martel is the department head for the STEPS program at Riverside Secondary School in Windsor. Martel is happy that the students are thrilled to partake in this generational tradition.

“It’s very significant for us because every student going from Grade 9 to Grade 12 gets to experience a prom at some point in their lives,” said Martel.

“And for our students, they never get that opportunity, usually because it’s an after-school event and they need support to attend it.”

Established in 2009, the S.T.E.P.S Program at Riverside Secondary School aims to elevate personal growth for pupils by providing programs geared toward addressing unique learning needs. Teachers, developmental service workers and educational assistants provide an enriching, structured, safe and supportive environment for all students.

The STEPS program involves seven years of learning and upon completion, students achieve a Certificate of Accomplishment. The curriculum includes amongst other learning experiences: language and communication, world of work, social skills, culinary skills, numeracy and numbers, physical education, healthy living, self help/self care and creative arts for expression and enjoyment.

The hope is that the STEPS prom will now be an annual event at the Riverside Secondary School for years to come.