Some of YouLearn’s staff members pose in the entryway of the Neighbourhoods of Learning, where their new office is located. From left to right are Ernie Millward, Miles Derksen, Sonya Mason, Will Eaton, Caroline Pennelli and Steve Pozzobon.
Erin Christie photo
After nearly 13 years YouLearn has finally found a permanent home in Oliver.
The school, which had been operating out of two locations; a small office on Station Street and Oliver Elementary School, will now be housed within the Neighbourhoods of Learning on the SOSS campus on Fairview Road.
Principal Caroline Pennelli said the new office gives YouLearn enough space to run the continuing education program and hold office hours and workshops for the distributed learning program. She said this change has allowed the staff members to extend their hours significantly.
Pennelli said the offices were previously restricted to operating during regular school hours of 8:30 to 3:30. They will now be able to remain open until 5:30 pm on Monday, 8 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday and 4 pm on Thursdays.
The ultra-modern, state-of-the-art facility will also provide room for expansion as well as the addition of new and more innovative programs, which instructor Miles Derksen said are already underway.
Among YouLearn’s cutting-edge new course offerings are Advanced Windows 8 and Mobile Devices, Photoshop CS5, Digital Painting, Introduction to 3D Graphics, and Music Composition and Technology 11/12.
Derksen said the staff will be setting up a specialized area within the classroom for students to access equipment and work on projects for these courses.
The added space will also be used to host public events that vice-principal Will Eaton hopes will enhance YouLearn’s expanding community.
Currently, more than 1000 students are enrolled in Youlearn programs. Eaton credits the school’s flexibility and student-focused curriculum.
“We are incredibly nimble in terms of what we are able to do here,” said Eaton.
He noted that flexibility is one of the many advantages he sees to distributed learning programs.
Eaton became an advocate of the DL system after his daughter, who attended a “brick and mortar” high school, was able to add a mandatory course to her schedule via YouLearn. Eaton said her school schedule was jam-packed and she literally could not fit another class in.
“Had she not been able to take the course through DL, she would have had to stay another semester to take the course, and not graduate with her friends,” he noted.
Eaton stressed that any high school students can “cross-enrol” (take a YouLearn course that interests them while enrolled in a “brick and mortar” school).
YouLearn offers full-time distance courses to students from K-12 throughout BC, as well as continuing education
The school will hold an open house to showcase its new facility this fall. Watch the Chronicle for more details. For more information about YouLearn, visit www.youlearn.ca
Erin Christie
Oliver Chronicle
