Teen mothers involved over change in Calgary education program
The Calgary Board of Schooling is taking one other step towards closing the varsity web site of a novel program that gives highschool training and childcare for pregnant teenagers and younger mothers.
The Louise Dean Centre operates out of a 75-year-old constructing within the northwest group of West Hillhurst, however board officers have proposed the varsity and its operations transfer to the Jack James Excessive Faculty, within the southeast group of Forest Garden.
The general public college board voted on Tuesday to place the proposal to a public session course of.
There are 47 college students on the Louise Dean Centre.
ALUMNUS CONCERN
One graduate of this system says there are issues about shifting to a brand new location and sharing a constructing with one other highschool.
“It simply doesn’t make any sense. It is only a larger threat. There are mothers in strollers and busses and we do not need out children to be uncovered to that sort of atmosphere,” mentioned Andrea Hernandez-Urbina.
She enrolled at Louise Dean Faculty when her son, Isa Malik Aubry, was two months previous. She accomplished her highschool diploma final Could.
She says the varsity’s robust sense of group would undergo with a change of location.
“We’re all teen mothers all of us have the identical purpose and it is unhappy understanding that the varsity should shut down and switch to a different college,” she mentioned.
Hernandez-Urbina, now an eyelash extension artist, credit the centre for extra counselling and household abilities programs.
CHANGING TRENDS
Kindred, which operates childcare providers and likewise offers programs and counselling at Louise Dean Centre, says the varsity’s wants have modified over the 50-year partnership.
“The general price of sweet sixteen being pregnant in Alberta is declining. So we’re seeing a corresponding decline within the variety of college students that we’re capable of serve,” mentioned Jessica Cope Williams, co-CEO of Kindred.
She added, “it is a chance for us to re-evaluate what are the most effective ways in which we are able to reply to the altering pattern and proceed meet the wants of younger dad and mom.”
In an emailed assertion on Wednesday, the Calgary Board of Schooling (CBE) says “the potential transfer of the Louise Dean program to Jack James Excessive Faculty will enhance tutorial alternatives for each college students and their companions, in addition to continued help from our companions.”
It continued, “if the proposed relocation is authorized, employees from Louise Dean Centre, Jack James Excessive Faculty, Kindred and AHS will work collectively in the course of the 2023-24 college yr to make sure personalised and particular person transition plans are created for every pupil. These plans will tackle their studying, helps, and security throughout the new atmosphere.”
OFFERINGS AT FOREST LAWN
Board officers mentioned the present web site inbuilt 1947 wants $17 million in repairs, whereas the renovations to the Jack James Excessive Faculty constructing are estimated to value $5.6 million, throughout a public assembly on Tuesday.
The proposal would see a bit of the constructing geared up with {hardware} offering sole entry to Louise Dean college students and employees, and doubtlessly parental companions.
The renovation plan additionally features a childcare centre, a brand new out of doors play space, medical examination rooms, expanded counselling workplaces and school rooms amongst different adjustments.
As effectively, board officers say the relocation would reduce journey time for almost all of scholars who reside within the south or northeast.
“We have been in search of nearer proximity to the place college students reside, to scale back journey occasions,” mentioned Dany Breton, CBE superintendent of amenities and environmental providers.
“This location can proceed to offer the individualized sheltered programming and helps obtainable on the present location,” mentioned Andrea Holowka, CBE superintendent of college enchancment.
The CBE assertion provides:
“Forest Garden is a group on the rise, the Metropolis of Calgary, Alberta Well being Providers, and different companions have poured a major quantity of assets into the redevelopment of the world. Within the fast Jack James Excessive Faculty Space is an Alberta Well being Providers Clinic. As well as the group homes a not too long ago renovated public library, with child-friendly actions and entry to the East Calgary Well being Centre.”
The extra 47 college students would take the scholar inhabitants to 93 per cent of Jack James college capability, based on the CBE board report public agenda for the Sept. 27 common assembly.
The goal set for relocation is the 2024-2025 tutorial yr.
The CBE has utilized to Alberta Schooling for capital funding for the relocation proposal.
