The Alternate Learning Program (ALP) was put into place to set kids up for success in their schooling but because of funding from our wonderful government, sorry, lack of funding, these kids who have worked so hard to achieve their goals, which they themselves set, are being told to wait and see if we have room for you in a mainstream high school.
Many of these kids have overcome more issues than most adults do in their lifetime, just to make something of themselves and be proud of who they are and where they are going. I have had the pleasure of working very closely with the staff at ALP as my son attends their program.
One week ago, I was a very proud parent when I learned that my son had completed all the requirements in the ALP program to be able to attend not only an elective but an academic course at W.L. Seaton Secondary. My son has overcome some tough issues to get where he is today. He has gone from a child with no direction or goals to a young man with a sense of pride in his work and a direction as to what he wants to do when he finishes school.
I was told just this morning that my son, who is already in attendance at Seaton part time, through the ALP program, has been put on a wait list for courses.
Now, I ask you, how fair is it that this young man who already attends the school does not have the same options as other students in attendance at Seaton? The last time I checked, education was not a privilege but a right to all children. How are those who have learning and/or behaviour difficulties supposed to succeed when they are let down by the very system set in place to help them to succeed?
I write this letter as a concerned parent that has a son who is losing faith very fast in our education system.
How are we as parents supposed to encourage them to finish school and make something of themselves when the school we are encouraging them to finish at isn’t doing the same thing?
This whole situation frustrates me to no end. Something needs to be done before more of our future generation decides to quit school because they feel they are not important enough to deserve the same education as everyone else because they learn things differently.
L. Cassel, Vernon
