Everyone with a connection to Chilliwack's alternate education programs is being asked to share their thoughts about the current state of programs and facilities with the school district.
The Chilliwack School District is currently looking at all aspects of program delivery and facilities for all their schools, including capacity struggles. Part of that district-wide review is a special review of the district's two alternate programs, CHANCE Shxwetetilthet and the Education Centre. Current and former students, as well as staff and parents, are being asked to complete an online survey, which offers plenty of opportunity for personal feedback. The survey is confidential and asks if the programs are meeting the needs of its students.
The surveys ask for improvement suggestions, challenges and strengths of the programs.
There are also two public consultations coming up at the end of March, open to the public.
Rohan Arul-Pragasam, assistant superintendent for Chilliwack School District, said this review will also take into account previous studies and reviews regarding alternate education.
"The review is extensive in nature in that we have summarized the recommendation from the previous studies and reviews prior to consulting with the community," he said. "This is an extensive review where we are consulting with students, staff, principals and vice-principals and all partner groups including the Aboriginal Community. We have currently consulted with staff and parents both at the Education Centre and CHANCE Shxwetetilthet as well as the students from both sites.
It is part of the larger plan review, intended to develop a renewed vision to support students and programs, he added. A report from all of this compiled information — new and old — will be presented to the Board of Education in April or May, with proposed changes to be implemented in September.
The school district has published seven previous studies on their website, including an alternate education review from 2006, the 2008 McCreary Report, a 2014 quality review report from the Ministry of Education, a summary of a secondary alternate inquiry team, and the Chilliwack High School Engagement and Completion Study created for the Chilliwack Social Research and Planning Council.
The online survey option will close on March 31, and the public consultation meeting dates are March 30 at the Neighbourhood Learning Centre at CSS, and at G.W. Graham on March 31. Both meetings begin at 7 p.m.
For more information please contact Rohan Arul-pragasam, Assistant School Superintendent at 604-792-1321 or rohan_arul@sd33.bc.ca