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Messages - RCSworkhorse

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The Ridge Creek School / Hidden Lake Academy / Re: "RIDGE CREEK SCHOOL - FINAL BOW IS LESS THAN GRACEFUL...
« on: July 22, 2011, 06:07:01 AM »
Wow this makes me mad! Anyone who has worked at RCS recently knows very well that Len hid in his office and almost never interacted with Students....I would dare say he hasn't actually heard children's laughter on that campus in some time.
This man's unwillingness to admit that his lack of leadership and ethics had anything to do with the failure of the school paired with the ease with which he passes the buck off to "disturbed individuals" infuriates me. For god sake Len...while you are drying your crocodile tears hard working people who actually worked with these kids and tried to keep them safe.....despite your lack of support....are now having to look for jobs and pick up the peices of their lives, families are incurring the costs of unplanned flights home and wondering if they will ever see a penny of the money they thought they were investing in the well-being of their children!? I am disgusted!

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The Ridge Creek School / Hidden Lake Academy / Re: Ridge Creek "School" - Unpaid Staff and Resident Riot
« on: February 01, 2011, 09:20:28 PM »
"I am a little confused. Perhaps you can help. RCS Wildrness aka Ridge Creek, Inc.the OCI(outdoor child caring institution) on ORS inspection date 08/23/2010 - Ridge Creek stated there were no children active and Ridge Creek Wilderness did not expect any until the Spring. "Interventions" to Ridge Creek Wilderness were to cease years back from the regular program of the sister school, formerly HLA, then/ now RCS. You stated "interventions" in the above Dec.14th post as ' former' staff??? Ridge Creek Wilderness was not to hold further "interventions" from the sister school HLA/RCS, remaining a separate entity, entirely. Are you stating RCS still used "interventions" to Ridge Creek Wilderness after the ORS regulation in 2006-2007? Also, the staff listing under Ridge Creek Wilderness is HEAVY, considering, according to the ORS 08/23/2010, the program is not/was not operational. Which is it? Thanks."
END QUOTE

Jill,
In the spring of 2010..in May Len ordered that the Director of Recreation plan and implement a 10 day wilderness intervention for a group of 10 students who were struggling with compliance or were repeatedly breaking major RCS agreements on some level (no sexual behavior or glorifying sex, no drugs or glorifying drugs, no violence or glorifying violence). I was unaware of any such ORS restrictions on wilderness interventions but it was certainly implemented. Neither Len or Chris notified anyone about any ORS restrictions on wilderness-based programming. I personally think it was one of the more effective efforts made during my time there....students were required to complete academic work, therapeutics, community service, daily hikes and group processing each day. The intervention ended with a three day backpacking excursion....the Rec staff really did the best they possibly could with this intervention given the short notice given to plan it and limited number of staff with wilderness experience.
Hope this answers your question.

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The Ridge Creek School / Hidden Lake Academy / Re: Ridge Creek "School" - Unpaid Staff and Resident Riot
« on: January 31, 2011, 03:49:08 PM »
I am not sure anyone made mention of the article published in The Dahlonega Nugget on 1/26/11. I was unable to find a link on the Nugget website...sorry! Anyhow it was Police Officer Darren Martin's account of the incident. Essentialy it sounds like early in the day on 1/16 a majority of the student body threatened to initiate a mass walk-out. Apparently the majority of the students did not follow through however it appears a group of students not only walked out but caused a massive amount of property damage. Students were breaking into buildings attempting to access phones, throwing rocks, breaking windows and the police officer stated the Student Activity Center was completely trashed! A few students even went so far as to break into a near by church in attempts to access a phone.
Another piece of notable info mentioned in the article was that 4 students were picked up by police on 1/15 for loitering at the Dahlonega Walmart at 4am. It turned out that they were Ridge Creek Runaways...and no one at RCS bothered to inform the police...it is their written P&P to do so. Even if a student if older than 18 it is required according to RCS policy that the shift leader contact police, as a courtesy if the are 18 or older OR to file missing persons if under age.
'
In the paper Len Buccelato's was reported stating it was "not a major incident" and went on to say "the campus is operating as usual"....that's the issue folks...this kind of stuff has become status quo at RCS. If these kind of incidents are considered "business as usual" is this really a safe place for students or staff???

This whole thing is so sad...the campus has so much potential...if only the leadership was different!

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The Ridge Creek School / Hidden Lake Academy / Re: Ridge Creek School - Serious Safety Issues/ORS Violation
« on: December 14, 2010, 05:51:17 PM »
I reviwed the ORS report. I was a staff at RCS during part of this time frame. Though I did not have a good experience at RCS as an employee, some of the citations are rediculous! Especially in regards to the Wilderness Intervention. First, the students were all provided with a sleeping pad and a down sleeping bag in addition to thermal layers in case it got cold. The students were required to assist in the preparation of food but staff helped with food prep and were provided 3 square meals and two snacks each day. Students were also provided two, one litre water bottles and a were given access to water coolers and were encouraged to fill up many times throughout the day. The Solo was a 24 hour period where students slept in individual tents, closely monitored by staff. Students could not talk to other students but could talk to staff any time they wanted...this was about self-control, learning to delay gratification and having time to reflect about what behaviors they did that got them sent to intervention. Once solo was over the group slept in a group shelter called a Tabin (not a tavern). The beds were indeed metal frames with a wood slab on top...like a box spring. Students had sleeping pads, sleeping bags and their pillows. This may have been one of the most therapeutic things that happened on campus during my short time there. Students had to learn about self-reliance and independant thinking--not following peers who are doing negative behaviors. Each day students engaged in therapeutic groups, community projects and worked on academics and therapeutic assignments and learned how to hold each other accountable. As you can tell i am a big believer in the power of outdoor therapeutic programs! Many students returning from those interventions made huge progress behaviorally even after only 7 days and many of them have continued on that path of sucess. Also know that the interventions occured during warm months.

Though many a shadey thing has happened on that campus the staff members who work directly with the students are good people who during my time there made the best effort they could to support students given their limited training and supports. The biggest limitations to the program are the decision makers and higher-ups in Administration.

 :soapbox:

ok...I will get off my soap box now!

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