The Cariboo Chilcotin Teachers' Association (CCTA) is calling on School District 27 to address what the CCTA describes as a communication breakdown that has left the future of the PSO Storefront Alternate program in limbo these last few weeks.
The PSO Storefront program is a program serving students unable to attend Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School regularly for various reasons, giving them an alternate way to get their education. In early February SD 27 announced plans to temporarily move the PSO Storefront from its old location on Taylor Avenue to a portable behind 100 Mile Elementary School.
SD 27 told the simplymastery this move was due to zoning issues at the current location and because its mixed-use nature was no longer suitable for a learning environment. The District of 100 Mile House previously told the simplymastery they were willing to work with SD 27 if they wished to remain in the location.
The plan ran into opposition, however, from several elementary school parents online and in person. This led to SD 27 announcing they had paused the move while they addressed parental concerns.
In a statement released by the CCTA, president Jessica Hill said the program plays a vital role in serving vulnerable youth and their future is now hanging in the balance. Hill said she believes throughout this controversy many have lost sight of the fact the education of the PSO Storefront students is being impacted.
"Students and staff have been navigating a constant state of homelessness, jeopardizing their sense of security and leaving them feeling devalued and defeated," Hill said. "Storefront provides a crucial alternative learning environment for students who struggle in traditional settings. These students, many of whom are already facing significant challenges, deserve stability and support."
Hill said she has been following the controversy from Williams Lake both in the media and through talking with the CCTA members attached to PSO Storefront. She felt it was time to put out a statement supporting those students and calling on SD 27 to learn from this situation.
The initial lack of communication between SD 27 and the students' parents about the move until right up before it happened is an example of what Hill believes is SD 27's current "reactive" approach to communicating. Hill said while she understands why SD 27 needs to move the program, she believes if there had been a more proactive approach taken to communicating with parents they could have potentially avoided them feeling blindsided. Hill said reactive communication isn't unique to SD 27, remarking the CCTA has also been guilty of that before.
While SD 27 has now begun an ongoing dialogue with the concerned parents, Hill said the Storefront students have faced direct and indirect harassment, discrimination and negative assumptions based on misinformation that has been spread on local social media.
"These kids are vulnerable kids who are just trying to stay in school and engage in their learning. Now they are finding themselves shuffled around for reasons that are really outside of their control," Hill said. "I have some concerns their voice has not been represented enough."
SD 27 Superintendent Cheryl Lenardon said that the school district is absolutely committed to its alternate programs. She said that the CCTA made an important point about the importance of these programs to students who struggle to learn in traditional settings.
"We are absolutely committed to these students and their success," Lenardon said. "We are also mindful of concerns expressed by parents and community members, which unfortunately, are often being expressed without a full understanding of the facts, or are based on rumour or innuendo about the students and their program."
Elementary school parents who opposed the move cited many reasons, including fears of believed criminality of the Storefront students. When SD 27 superintendent Cheryl Lenardon responded to these concerns earlier this month she explicitly said criminal actions of certain individuals were being wrongly attributed to the Storefront students.
The teachers and support staff of the PSO Storefront are deeply committed to their students, Hill said in her statement, noting they work tirelessly to create a supportive and inclusive environment. Even faced with the program becoming homeless, she said staff and students have shown up every day to engage in education and build a sense of community.
Hill noted this cannot last forever, however, adding over the last few weeks, the program has been housed in four different temporary locations which are not suitable for long-term use. She said the students deserve a safe place where they can learn and prepare for their futures.
"The district must step up and engage with the concerned parents in the community to help them understand the true nature of this program and put down the misinformation and harmful rumours still being perpetuated on social media," Hill said. "These students deserve someone to fight for them and their right to learn in a safe, engaging environment, free from harassment and bullying."
Going forward, Hill said the CCTA will closely monitor the situation and advocate for the needs of its members and the vulnerable youth at Storefront. When asked if she knew if SD 27 had come to a final decision on whether or not the program would be moved in the portable behind 100 Mile House Elementary School, Hill said she did not know of any final decision one way or the other. Hill did note, however, that co-existence between an alternate program and an elementary school is possible.
"I know up in Williams Lake we have Skyline and it's right next door to Marie Sharpe Elementary School. They have functioned perfectly fine side by side and there had been minimal issues over the many years it's been there," Hill remarked. "I know it's possible to do, but again, if the parents need reassurance on how it's going to work, I can understand that. At the end of the day, I hope it's not lost on people that in the midst of all that angst and negativity, there are children involved. Not just the children of 100 Mile Elementary but the children of Storefront too that are kids trying to do better."
When reached for comment Lenardon confirmed that no final decision has been made on where the PSO Storefront will ultimately be moved to. She noted the plan to move the program to the portable behind 100 Mile House did have the support of the school's Parents' Advisory Council and their plan was consistent with the model of success SD 27 has enjoyed in Williams Lake. This plan has been paused due to the parental feedback they've since received.
"We will continue to work towards a permanent solution for the Storefront program that works best for our students and communities," Lenardon said.
