Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks to the support of Education, Culture and Employment and other government agencies, Route 51 Learning Institute has become a successful source for alternative education for Yellowknife students since its opening in November 2009.
The objective of Route 51 is to provide academic improvement in achievement to non-traditional learners and prepare non-academic students with skills to enter the workplace. In the beginning, due to the late start in the year, YK No. 1 was hoping to register 40 students. However, Route 51 served a total of 112 students by the end of June 2010. For the 2010-11 school year, YK No. 1 was hoping to accommodate 75 students. Currently, there are approximately 125 students registered.
The school has seen many successes. One of the anticipated outcomes of the program is for students to find success at Route 51 and be able to transition back into Ecole Sir John Franklin High School. Route 51 prides itself in offering students with alternatives to learning that can’t be found anywhere else: flexible schedules, which allow students to fulfill other obligations and activities; flexible timetabling to allow Ecole Sir John High students to take courses at Route 51 which they can’t fit into the schedule at high school. There is a close liaison between Ecole Sir John Franklin High School and Route 51, who offer support for student learning. A nutritious conscious environment and healthy homemade snacks made by two staff members, Joyce Whiteford and Kirstin Prescott, fits with YK No. 1’s strategic goal of living healthy lifestyles.
Route 51 is exploring a number of opportunities for students in the near future. These include ways to expand electronic workspaces to meet growing demand of students, building a partnership with Breakaway Fitness to offer students opportunities to receive credit for physical education which fits in with YK No. 1’s strategic goal of living healthy lifestyles, and exploring opportunities for CTS modules and trades and apprenticeship programs. The students and staff at Route 51 along with YK No. 1, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and the larger community have all contributed to creating a place of learning that is serving our young people well.
Mr. Speaker, I and some of my colleagues visited Route 51 last week. It is clear to us the pride that the staff and students take in Route 51 and the opportunities and good work it is providing. I encourage all students looking for alternative education support to visit Route 51 to find out how they can help. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
