A program once credited for fostering love for school and raising academic scores among Indigenous students is undergoing some big changes.
And one parent with a student in the program doesn’t like the new direction.
Suwa’lkh is a Coquitlam school program with small classes and outdoor learning.
But starting in September, only Grade 9 and 10 students will be allowed to enrol and older students will be steered to different programs.
It’s a move long in coming, said Susan Ross, the district principal for school services and special projects, made necessary by needs among 14- and 15 year-old students who struggle in a typical high school.
SHORTAGE OF PROGRAMS FOR STRUGGLING STUDENTS
Ross said, a few years ago, School District 43 identified a dearth of alternate education programs for struggling Grade 9 and 10 students and moved to fill the gap.
It believes Suw'alkh, which first began as an alternative program for Grades 6 to 12, should transition to supporting younger high school students.
This school year, Grade 11 and 12 students currently in the program have been allowed to finish up or switch to CABE or their home school.
But, come September, Suwa’lkh will only be for the younger grades.
“We can wrap around them and give them more attention in that younger age group,” said Ross.
One parent says closing the school to older students in Grade 11 and 12 will be a hardship for struggling teens, who benefit from close bonds formed at Suwa’lkh.
“When they get to Grade 11, they will all be split up as they all come from different areas of the district. That will be hard on them. They will be thrown from a pond in to an ocean,” said the Coquitlam mom who asked that her name not be used to protect the privacy of her son who attends the program.
Ross says flexibility is built into the program and no one currently in the program will be forced out.
“We have zero appetite to say to students, 'You know, the program is changing and you need to go,'" she said.
“We will take care of those kids until they're ready to transition or until they graduate from Suw’alkh."
As well, she said the district needed an alternative education program for younger students as there were already several options for Grade 11 and 12 students, including CABE for students ages 16 to 18, Encompass and CLC (Customized Learning Centre).
SELF-PACED LEARNING, SMALL CLASSES
Suwa’lkh, which has an Instagram account, was an innovative program for School District 43 when it was introduced a decade ago.
At the time, the program was noted for incorporating First Nations culture with outdoor studies and trips.
Students who attended the program at the time said the self-paced learning and small classes kept them connected to school because they felt like they were part of a family.
Over the years, the program grew to include an outdoor classroom in the forest near a creek and a horticultural program, run by Fresh Roots.
But Ross said the new program won’t lose its small, flexible feel nor any of the outdoor education programs, although many have been curtailed due to COVID-19.
And while Indigenous teachings will continue to be part of the program — now also a part of the regular curriculum as well — Suwa’lkh isn’t strictly for Indigenous students, although some who do attend have First Nations backgrounds.
Located at Millside school in Coquitlam, Suwa’lkh has four teachers for about 30 students plus a youth worker with three rooms for classes, including a culinary program.
Enrolment is by referral, Ross said, and is for students who are struggling in a large high school, who are identified by school-based teams as possibly benefiting from the program.
