_ Community _ Storefront school gives second chance > by Valorie Lennox The Review The door is open to learning at Sidney’s storefront school, a new venture by the Saanich school district to bring education to stu- dents who won’t step inside a classroom. “We're offering a different set- up in a non-school situation, keep- ing away from the whole school building,” said Janis Johnson, assistant superintendent of student services. The storefront school is in a 1,000 square foot upstairs office off Beacon Avenue in Sidney. Under the direction of teacher Ken Babcock, students can take courses from the South Island Correspondence School and from the Open Learning Institute. The individually paced pro- grams allow students to continue working while completing the requirements of Grade 12 equiva- lency or a Dogwood graduation certificate. Many people need’ to complete Grade 12 in order to gain a better job or to take further training. “Tey re in dead-end jobs and they can’t get any further with a Grade nine, 10 or 11 education,” Babcock said: Although officially many trades programs only require Grade 10, the high demand for such courses leads to students with Grade 12 being enrolled first, squeezing out those students who have not gra- duated, Babcock explained. The program is as much a lifeline for some people as an educational opportunity. Each of the 40-plus students who have enrolled in the past week Start with an interview to deter- mine their present educational level and their program. ““A lot of the students don’t really know what they want,” Babcock said. ““We’re finding they really want to sit down and talk.” Enrollment in the storefront school also gives students access to other school district services, including the PALS basic literacy lab, help with career planning and work experience programs. Many of the students have been out of school for several years, have children or a job and find it impossible to return to school full-time. Babcock says it is also difficult for students to return to school knowing they will be in a class with students two to three years younger than themselves. Johnson noted students who have been supporting themselves find it difficult to accept the regimentation of the standard school system. “Being in control themselves is Editor: Valorie Lennox 656-115 1 TheReview Wednesday, September 11,1991 — All Dorman’s Carpet Cleaners ¢ CARPET CLEANING - UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Owner Wilf-Dorman gives personal attention to all orders 9570 Northlawn Terrace, Sidney, B.C. Phone: 656-4754 - 30 Years Experience JUST US | _ FREE ESTIMATES ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A CHURCH TO TRY OUT? You are invited to visit GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH * contemporary up-beat worship * lots of music * practical teaching for everyday life * Nursery, Sunday School, Youth Groups A WARM WELCOME AWAITS YOU Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. Keating Elementary School Wednesday Worship 7:00 p.m. Saanichton Bible Fellowship Call 652-0045 for details A WELCOME BACK to school is offered by teacher Ken Babcock fo Sidney student Sarah Warrington, 16, at the district's new storefront school off Beacon Avenue. Warrington, who works full-time, hopes to take enough Courses at the storefront school to enable her to study criminal psychology at university. very appealing,” Johnson said. For some of the students, only one or two courses are needed to complete graduation requirements. Others are just interested in further learning. Babcock has four Continued on Page A13 Music for Young Children Ages 3-8 =an exciting parent/tot program Toronto Conservatory Standards 10 WEEK AND 34 WEEK PROGRAMS Registration begins August 26th 656-5627 La-Z-Boy Recliners CALL TOLL FREE EREE Pee nD 4-800-667-1314 GaupseLancr (GUARANTEES THEIR PRICES ARE Giger | enemy ae FIND THE IDENTICAL MERCHANDISE STANDARD ‘i weibverncevemccuoy || FURNITURE oor REFUND THE DIFFERENCE TO YOU. ed entre Choose from the largest selection of La-Z-Boy reclina-rockers and reclina-way chairs on Vancouver Island. Hundreds in stock. H Lifetime warranty on frame and mechanism. Sale priced from 2397. (As shown — choice of 3 colours) 655-1010 CRAZY MIKE’S VIDEO 300-9810 7th Street, Sidney 656-3666 (Mariner's Village Mall) Now with a BIGGER SELECTION io serve you better. RENT ALL THE LAUGHS TODAY! SYLVESTER STALLONE MON.-WED. 4 ALL MOVIES eas OSCAR INCLUDING Thumbs NEW RELEASES ee When 2 FOR 1 See Gangster SOE ra. Everybody CHILDREN’S VIDEOS $4 29 FOR 2 DAYS OOO OOOO OOOOC 59 OO O008 0000000 ON VIDEO! ALL NINTENDO GAMES FREE?! CHILDREN’S VIDEO RENTAL WITH EVERY $5.00 RENTAL Thursday - Sunday Only 00 $3 FOR 2 DAYS” OR $2.00/DAY