Open letter to School District #83 trustees regarding the Sicamous Learning Centre and storefront programs:
I am writing to express my personal support for the Sicamous Learning Centre and other storefront programs in SD83.
I dropped out of Eagle River Secondary when I was 14. Ten years later I realized the importance of a proper education, especially for my daughters and my ability to support them without relying on the government.
I have always taken for granted that the amazing storefront programs would be there for me as long as I needed them.
I have three small children under the age of six. I have attempted many times to start courses, but life always seemed to get in the way.
My teachers have always been very supportive, as they are more than teachers – they are understanding, supportive, they can be counsellors, confidants and a valuable resource.
I have never been judged for my unsuccessful attempts at schooling. The teachers at these schools are devoted to your personal success, regardless of what route or how long it takes. That’s something extremely valuable that only schools in small towns like mine can accomplish.
Without having schools like the Sicamous Learning Centre, I doubt I would be on my way to my success story. I have been going faithfully, since September of 2012. With the support of Tim Lavery and Astrida Knox, I am able to begin accomplishing my dreams of a higher academic education.
Being a young, single mother, my education would have been nearly impossible to achieve if I were required to drive in the winter to the big city of Salmon Arm.
I have recently finished the Destinations math program, am one-third done my English 12 and my LMF6.
I desperately need the Sicamous Learning Center to be open next year to finish my course load.
I understand that many decisions that have to be made are not easy ones due to lack of government funding for our school district. I believe that abolishing our adult learning programs will be detrimental to our small communities and the future of many families that live in them.
I am not alone – there are many stories like mine, and have been many success stories throughout the years of adult students who are now able to support their families, and who were able to reach their full potential with the invaluable support of SD83’s storefront programs.
The importance of education for all in SD83 makes me very proud to say I have been in our school district since kindergarten, and my daughters are now following in my footsteps.
I am an advocate for others and my own education, and I genuinely hope that education for all can remain a part of our communities by keeping the storefronts open.
Katrina Foster
