Recession Hits Branford’s Kids

Two public schools in Branford now qualify for federal aid targeted at low-income communities. And the town’s counseling center reports waiting lists for kids seeking help — -two new indicators that the recession has hit the town’s most vulnerable population.

A year ago, the Eagle examined the consequences of the recession on the town and found the same struggles associated with much of the country. As the trickle-down stresses of unemployment and financial hardship continue, these new developments reflect the impact of the recession on the town’s children.

First is in the addition of the Walsh Intermediate School and the John B. Sliney Elementary School as Title 1 schools (Mary T. Murphy Elementary School is already designated as such), which makes those schools eligible for financial assistance through state educational agencies. Funds go to schools with high numbers or high percentages of poor children to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

According to Mary Peraro, assistant superintendent of schools, the trigger for Title 1 funding is the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, an ongoing survey sent to a random sample of the population. (Peraro said that it’s often thought that the number of children receiving free or reduced-cost lunches at a school triggers the need for Title 1 funds, which is not the case.) The ACS tells what the population looks like and how it lives and helps communities determine where to locate services.

In Branford’s case, the number of students identified as low-income/poverty level increased from 12.9 percent in 2004 – 2005 to 19 percent in 2009 – 2010. Peraro said there has been a bigger influx of ESL (English as a second language) students in addition to those affected by the economy.

Secondly, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of kids – 35 at a recent count – seeking help through the Branford Counseling Center, so much so that there are now waiting lists. 

Pat Andriole, director of the Branford Counseling Center, was interviewed by the Eagle last April . She said recently that the definition of working poor has changed since then.

“Things are worse. What we have found is that the working poor, a family of four making $25,000 and able to pay rent has shifted to those people making $50,000 to $60,000. ​“These are people who have lost their jobs and have huge mortgages. They are having a terrible time.”

According to Frank Carrano, Board of Education chairman, the town has not seen an influx of poorer students. Rather, he said, family circumstances have changed.

Carrano said these stresses are a sign of the times and reflect the fact that Branford is connected to an urban center. He said we’re seeing evidence of circumstances that used to be applied to an urban setting now in the suburbs.

“These situations bring issues with students that are stressed,” Carrano said. ​“What’s reflected in school is what’s happening in their private lives.”

Kathleen Higgins, principal of the Sliney Elementary School, agreed. ​“Families are more stressed,” she said. ​“The fallout can be seen in the schools and the additional funds from Title 1 can help support those kids.”

Higgins says Sliney’s social worker, Amy King works closely with families to deal with even the subtle effects of the economic fall-out. ​“She works hard to help the children.”

In Branford’s case, Title 1 funding will be used to pay for reading and math specialists. The schools are in their second year of receiving funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA, also known as Stimulus funds) and the Individual Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Peraro says the Title 1 funds for Walsh and Sliney won’t kick in until next year. Murphy is now receiving funds for the 2009 – 2010 school year.

“We don’t know how much we’ll be getting, not till August,” she says. Next year’s funds will be allocated among all three schools.

According to the Board of Education’s proposed budget, Title 1 students comprised 20 percent of Walsh Intermediate School and Sliney Elementary School, while it is 28.5 percent of the students at Mary T. Murphy. Higgins said the area serviced by Mary Tisko School is more affluent.

Carrano said a reading specialist and additional resources were added at Murphy from Title 1 funding . With next year’s budget there will be additional support at Sliney and Walsh. 

“Kids pick up on the vibes of their parents,” said Andriole. She said that 35 children were on the waiting list at the counseling center recently. ​“It’s shocking to us and frightening to have that many kids on the waiting list,” said Andriole, adding that ​“some are very sick.”

She said it’s definitely a result of the economy since kids don’t understand how money works.

That crisis situation led Andriole to obtain a $6,000 grant, which has enabled the counseling center to hire two part-time licensed clinical social workers. ​“It’s a start,” says Andriole of the temporary grant. She expects to put that money into a line item of her budget.

Robin Goeler, principal of Walsh Intermediate School, has a bit of a different take on stress and today’s kids. He sees lots of anxiety and depression, but said it’s more characteristic of today’s society in addition to the economy. ​“Kids seem to come with less coping skills today,” he said. He saw kids acting out in ways that were counter productive even before the downturn.

“There’s an increasing burden on families and it plays out in the schools. You can’t turn it off and on,” Goeler said. ​“It has to have an impact on relationships and academic performance.”

Over the last decade, he’s seen an increase in referrals and parents coming in for support, adding that children have access to information that is not age appropriate.

“There is a longer range perspective … we have to talk about trends and patterns and research by educators to get a handle on resources to support kids,” he said. ​“We want to be prepared since there’s a greater need for social and emotional support.”

Pat Andriole said she sees kids coming through with no lunch (though one high school parent said that kids may skip lunch due to scheduling). Andriole said she wonders if the lack of low-income numbers at the high school is due to simple embarrassment – kids are reluctant to admit that times are tough.

The migration of Title 1 students from the intermediate school at Walsh will ultimately be seen at the high school whether or not kids admit they’re affected. 

“Children are really suffering emotionally,” said Andriole. ​“They aren’t being nurtured. When you’re worried and depressed, you can’t nurture.”

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