Just a quick note about the relocation of the Osoyoos YouLearn.ca to the Osoyoos Secondary High school. At this point, this is only a proposed move and will be decided at the next school board meeting in June. There is still opportunity to express your opinions to the school board!

There are a great number of us including teachers, students, parents and community members that do not agree with this move. Having adult learners in a high school environment poses significant issues. Often students that attend the Learning Centre have not been successful in brick and mortar schools and therefore returning to a high school setting would cause significant anxiety. Other students that attend the Learning Centre have been bullied in high school or they have been suspended from a traditional school so that returning to a high school setting would be impossible.  As well, some ungraduated adults may have questionable backgrounds yet they deserve the chance to succeed – do we want these type of individuals sharing the same facilities and interacting with our high school students? Many senior students that are upgrading their skills have mobility issues and the trek to the high school and hike up to their classroom would be difficult for them. Many students walk to the Learning Centre or ride their bikes because of the downtown location.

This storefront location has been one of the greatest marketing tools for the Learning Centre throughout its 21 year existence in downtown Osoyoos. Moving to the high school would significantly impact the number of students that would be able to attend the centre in the future.

Certainly if relocation is necessary for financial reasons then other cost-saving options should be explored first to maintain the Learning Centres town presence. Many of you reading my comments have taken courses with the Learning Centre in the past, have benefited from the services provided and therefore understand how important the Learning Centre is to our community.

I would encourage you to contact your school trustee before the next JUNE school board meeting and express your opinions.  (http://sd53.bc.ca/ContactUs ) Thank-you!