A plan to temporarily relocate the PSO Storefront School to 100 Mile Elementary School has been postponed after receiving push back from parents.
Earlier this month parents learned that School District 27 planned to move the alternate school program from its current location on Taylor Avenue to a portable behind 100 Mile Elementary School. SD 27 told parents this was a temporary measure as they looked for a new permanent home. Several parents, however, including Jeannie Houseman, objected to this move.
"I believe it was Tuesday or Wednesday last week. 100 Mile Elementary has a Facebook page and I saw on there that someone heard the alternate program was being moved down there. Then some of us parents started chatting and realized this decision was made and none of us knew. We weren't given a chance to voice our feelings, the school board just kind of made that decision for us," Houseman said. "Now we've started a petition and are writing letters."
Houseman, who has lived in 100 Mile House her whole life, has two children enrolled at 100 Mile Elementary School, a son in Grade 7 and a daughter in Grade 4. She said she does not feel comfortable with the idea of her children mingling with high school aged students.
Since the parents initially found out about the decision, Houseman said SD 27 has sent out a letter explaining what they have planned. This included having the alternate school kids arrive at school at separate times from the elementary school students and taking separate breaks.
"Still, with that, they're also being told to smoke across the school yard and kids are going to see them. They are very impressionable and young kids. The Houseman said. "I'm not saying every alternate child is bad, I just feel they're not being given a fair chance either to get a proper education. What 17-year-old wants to go down to the elementary school?"
SD 27 superintendent Cheryl Lenardon sent out an email on Monday, Feb. 10 with a list of answers to questions being asked by parents. She told the Free Press SD 27 recognizes the timing of this change is not ideal and has led to some confusion on what it means for the elementary school.
"The school district is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of all of our students. Planning for placing a small secondary school program on an elementary school site involves a team of professionals based at our schools who carefully consider the positive impacts of such a program and any safety measures that need to be implemented," Lenardon said.
Lenardon told the Free Press and parents that SD 27 has been looking at moving the PSO Storefront Program for several months now. This option is being taken because SD 27 has found the mixed-use nature of the building wasn't a good fit for an educational program. Furthermore, the property isn't properly zoned for that use, necessitating their relocation.
The District of 100 Mile House confirmed it recently came to light that the property is not properly zoned for education. However, they told the Free Press they did not tell SD 27 to move the program and are willing to work with them to keep the program in its current location if they so choose.
The PSO Storefront School, also referred to as the alternate school program by Houseman, provides a place for students who either cannot attend PSO regularly or have been unable to find success in school. This can be for a variety of reasons and in their document emailed out to parents, SD27 noted the program often contains members of the most vulnerable populations that attend school. There are currently 16 students in Grades 9 to 12 attending the PSO Storefront.
"Alternate education programs have disproportionate numbers of children and youth in care, Aboriginal students, children and youth living in poverty or the street, gifted children who have difficulty in social situations, children and youth involved in drugs, alcohol and the sex trade, and youth with mental health concerns," SD 27 wrote. "Alternate education programs offer an opportunity for these vulnerable and at-risk students to experience success."
Houseman noted parents were told SD 27 planned to involve the alternate school program students in the elementary school's lunch programs, buddy cooking programs and mentorship programs. She said if a parent wants to do that they need to have a criminal background check completed and she wonders if these students would have to do the same.
"I don't think the alternate kids are getting a good chance to be educated. If they're having to cook with students and mentor them, when are they supposed to get their education?" Houseman asked.
Houseman alleged some of these students are in the program due to behavioural issues, such as fighting or drug use. She also said she had heard some of the students had broken into a dance studio located above the Taylor Avenue location. 100 Mile House RCMP Sgt. Brian Lamb confirmed there is an ongoing investigation into a property offence at the location but could not provide any further details.
In their response to parents, SD 27 reiterated that alternate programs are not schools for criminals or violent offenders, saying this has been incorrectly communicated on local social media.
"We are saddened by negative experiences of criminality that have occurred in the 100 Mile community, but need to clarify that the reports of criminal acts attributed to the individuals listed on social media are not students at PSO Storefront," SD 27 wrote.
While SD 27 has told Houseman and other concerned parents this proposed move is temporary, she noted she and others are considering pulling their children from the school if it goes ahead. She reiterated she believes the alternate school kids deserve a place to learn and suggested it be hosted in the high school again or that the portable be relocated away from the elementary.
"Why can't they take the portable somewhere else? There is where the junior secondary school used to be. Alternate school used to be in the back of PSO so why is it no longer there?" Houseman remarked. "These questions haven't been answered and if that portable is free there are so many places they can move it."
SD 27 did note in the document sent to parents that this portable has been selected because it has its own washroom facilities, meaning the Storefront students wouldn't have to access washrooms in the school.
Lenardon said following the concerns expressed by parents like Houseman, SD 27 is postponing the move temporarily while they work to address those concerns and answer questions. She added they welcome any further concerns, questions or input if they're presented respectfully.
While Houseman said the school has told her and the other parents this decision has been postponed, she has trouble believing that. She noted they are still packing up the PSO Storefront location and will have to move it somewhere.
"I would like to know what is happening with our children. I just don't feel this is an appropriate spot for our children," Houseman said. "Those alternate kids also deserve somewhere to get a proper education."
Both Lenardon and SD 27 noted the school district is continuing to look at all options to find a new permanent home for the PSO Storefront Program. She reiterated student safety and success are the key focus for the school district.
"We want to assure our community that we continue to support students in our district through our educators' outstanding leadership and professionalism and will continue proactively addressing the needs of students in the school community. We are proud of our students and educators and look forward to continuing to learn and grow together," Lenardon said. "The alternate program is a school program. All of our students are welcome in our district learning community."
