This week is an exciting week at the Peace Regional Outreach Centre. On June 13, staff celebrated year-end student awards along with community and volunteer contributions to the Alternative Education program, and then on June 14, 27 graduates accepted their high school diplomas - one of the Outreach's largest graduating classes in recent years.

The Peace Regional Outreach Centre is the largest component of the Peace River School Division's Alternative Education Program. Along with Fairview & Area Learning Store, and the Virtual Education Program, these programs provide opportunities to students who need an alternative to traditional high school in order to reconnect with their education in a personal and supportive way. The Alternative Education Program offers assistance to high school students who are at risk of not completing school, and adults who are looking to complete their Grade 12 education.

These less formal and less structured learning communities offer students a safe and welcoming atmosphere where each student is accepted, encouraged and treated with dignity and respect. The individualized, self-paced programming allows students to begin where they left off and progress at a pace that best suits their life.

Celebrating Community Support

"We're small and we're kind of mighty. What makes this place, in my mind, special are all the volunteers and financial supporters that allow this place to succeed," Alternative Education Program Vice Principal James Pobuda said. "Things like our partnership with the Peace River Art Hub, to programming like we were able to hook up with Peace High and do welding, our Foods, and we were able to bring in a fashion instructor. All those things do cost us money, so the support that we get from our community is greatly appreciated."

The June 13 awards celebration began by recognizing many of the Outreach Centre's partners in education. Among the appreciation award recipients were: The Peace Regional Outreach Centre Society, Town of Peace River, Northern Sunrise County, County of Northern Lights, Peace River Municipal Library, Dominos Pizza, Elder Dave Matilpi, Norm Van Slyke Memorial, Peace River Art Hub, and a fashion instructor.

Another group of community supporters were recognized as having contributed to the Peace Regional Outreach Centre's Life Skills program. 

"Life Skills are an opportunity for us have our students better connect with their Career and Life Management course, which is a requirements of all high school students. Whether it's health related, mental health or sexual education, or financial information like learning what it takes to do your taxes, these Life Skills information sessions cover a wide range of different topics," Mr. Pobuda said.

Among the recognized contributors to the Life Skills program were: Stepping Up - North Peace Society for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Peace River Restorative Justice, Alberta Health Services - Addiction Services, Buchholtz Financial Services, Alberta Health Services - Public Health, Alberta Health Services - Mental Health, Careers The Next Generation, Peace River Regional Women's Shelter, Vision Learning Centre, and Hayley White.

Celebrating Student Awards

"We have some wonderful students who have done amazing things and that's really why we do this...Students are coming and going and they're doing so many things in their lives and they're trying to balance hard times, good times, work and more with school," Mr. Pobuda said.

Among the students recognized with Year-End awards were:

Outstanding Student Award: Susie Friesen and Koda Owens

Most Improved Student Award: Tokyo Payou and Tye Larose

Diligent Student Award: Award Recipient Cannot be Named

Perseverance Award: Kassandra Nylund-Grandin

Numa Citizenship Award: Mackenzy Guerette

Spirit Wheel Award: Ashlyn Maltais

Personal Growth Award: Tye Larose

Active Living Award: Jonathan Neufeld

Year-End Awards