Invitation to former students extended

Page 17

An upcoming 10-year school reunion for the Boyle Street Education Centre in Edmonton is an opportunity for the school's first students to see how far their school has come.

"The kids that went through the first years laid the foundation. It would be good for them to come back and see what they've created," said assistant principal Mavis Averill.

Averill herself has been at the centre for the full 10 years. The school was the brainchild of people in the Boyle Street Co-op, where it was located for the first eight years. Two years ago, it was relocated to a larger facility at 10312-105 St. where student numbers rose from 80 per year to 125. In the 10 years of operation, more than 1,000 students have entered the centre?s doors, but that doesn't mean 1,000 have graduated.

"We see so many students, but we don't retain them all," said Averill.

That's because many of the kids who attend come from difficult home situations. Some live with extended family or grandparents; others are in foster care or group homes.

"Most have lost some adult support through the years. [As far as] parental concern and support, it just hasn't been consistent," said Averill.

The centre is open to students between the ages of 14 and 19. It offers high school courses, including apprenticeship, work experience and fine arts programming.

The lack of adult mentorship coupled with the turmoil in the lives of most of their students can explain the centre's approach to teaching-relationship teaching is so important. The low teacher/pupil ratio, with approximately 15 students per teacher, is one way the school works towards building relationships.

"Kids have to be pretty tough out there on the street. You know, they have those defenses for a reason, so you have to be careful when you enter into a relationship with them," said Averill.

The fact that some of these counsellors have been at the centre for a number of years has helped build trust with the students.

For Averill, the centre's successes come in the quiet, everyday occurrences that so many people take for granted.

?It?s not an easy thing to get a student to stabilize enough to commit to writing a (departmental) exam. It's no small feat to encourage, to mentor, to problem solve in order to retain students," said Averill.

She tells the story of a student who this past June wrote his Social Studies 30 government exam. "He has struggled all year long with personal issues. But he was able to pull it together to have a successful year."

For Averill, 'success' is not always defined as students who complete assignments or who graduate from the program. Success is students gaining confidence and finding out where their passions lie, whether it is with a course in school or holding down a job, or staying home with their children.

"It's about small successes, solid day by day experiences that build the foundation for success," she said.

Many of the school's students come from Edmonton's inner city and 85 to 90 per cent are First Nations. Financial aid and bus passes are provided as incentives for students to not only attend school, but to arrive on time and to finish assignments.

Averill freely admits that when she started as an English teacher in 1996, she never expected to stay this long. But a dedicated staff (there are 14 teachers and nine assistants) willing to try new initiatives and new approaches has made it possible.

But it hasn't been easy.

"Sometimes it's difficult to maintain a positive focus. Daily, it's emotionally draining work. We've had students who have died or been incarcerated and it's difficult because of the relationship model. It's difficult to support students, to support staff going through these losses."

But while the dedication of the staff has given Averill support, it"s the students that have kept her walking through the doors.

"They're miracles really, a test to the resilient spirit inside all of us," she said.

Averill is looking forward visitingwith students of years gone by. The 10-year reunion will be held Aug. 28 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the new facility. There will be a two-hour open mike opportunity for students to entertain, as well as photos, documentaries that have been created over the years, memories, good food, good laughs and good friends. Anyone who may be able to attend is encouraged to let Averill know by e-mail at maverill@bsec.ab.ca or by phone at (780) 428-1420.