ODN recently published a list of Principals and Vice Principals in the School District. One name was left off in error and we are here to make amends.

Glen has been the principal of  a number of traditional schools in the district but took on this new challenge three years ago – an opportunity to help many people – some in the Yukon, some here, elementary school students, adults with or with graduation, inmates in correctional facilities and those in residential rehabs in BC.

Here a brief list: 60 inmates at the Okanagan Correctional Centre involved in courses. 13 local people in pre – high school distance learning. 17 student in Keremeos at the former “Portage” rehab.

Last year a total of 625 students took a course (s) but to make a comparisons to regular full school students that is 173 FTE.

“Our clientele choose distributed learning for a variety of reasons. Some students take one course from YouLearn that they simply cannot get at their home school or cannot fit into their timetable. Others are heavily involved in outside activities, or hold down a job, and need the opportunity to do schoolwork on their own schedule. Graduates return to us to take courses required for entrance into a college program. Some adults take courses leading to graduation while others are upgrading. We can assist students trying to enter the trades through Secondary School Apprenticeship or Dual-Credit programs. If you have an educational need, we can help you find some answers”. says Heinrichs.

YouLearn is not well understood in the general public and even at the “inside-school” level. It uses instructors and assistants but the bulk of the learning is done by students connected by computers to distance learning programs offered by the Ministry of Education.  Office and classroom at the SOSS campus in Oliver.

Glen Heinrichs, 16 years of service in School District 53.