A principal of an alternative school said moving into the new Okotoks Arts and Learning Campus is an ideal reward for the most important of people.
“I feel like we finally have the space to properly serve the kids that come to school here — they deserve this space,” said Leslie Woehleke, principal of St. Luke’s Outreach Centre. "It’s purpose-built for outreach students – it may be one of the only purpose-built outreach schools in the province. It’s not a storefront for an existing building that you make work — this was built specifically for outreach students."
St. Luke’s, an alternative school which allows students to take classes in either a small classroom setting and/or online with assistance from the school’s staff, moved into its 6,000 sq. foot space on the campus located on Riverside Drive on Sept. 1. There are 72 students enrolled at the Okotoks campus this year.
“The common area is where all the students can be together – to eat, for prayer,” Woehleke said. “And we have larger classrooms, all surrounding that common area.”
There is also a kitchen in the common area where cooking classes are being held.
Hailey Brand is in her third year at St. Luke’s, the first two were at the previous site on Elizabeth Street.
“This is a lot more accommodating, it’s a lot nicer and a little more spacious,” said Brand on Sept. 8 after morning prayers. “Not everyone is cramped and running into each other – especially after prayers, when everyone was rushed and trying to get to classes.”
After prayers, which were in the spacious, bright common area, the students went to their classes, five classrooms that surround the common room. There are also two conference rooms and a counselling suite.
The classrooms have plenty of windows to provide more natural light. As well, classrooms facing south look upon the Sheep River.
“I really like the natural lighting,” Brand said. “LED lights are personally harsh on me, so the natural lighting is better for me with all the windows and stuff. Plus, it is a better view.”
Brand, who opted for St. Luke’s two years ago because she was nervous about attending a large high school, said the key to her success at the alternative school will continue to be due to the quality teachers, the staff and her attitude, but having an esthetically pleasing place to work isn’t going to hurt either.
“I will definitely have the motivation to do more and get more done,” Brand said of the new facility. “It’s a very motivating environment.”
The new digs definitely got the already pumped teaching staff further excited.
English teacher Jodi Parks has a large classroom, with her west wall adorned with eclectic books for the students and staff to read. While St. Luke’s always had a large collection of books, in the previous facility they were spread out across several rooms.
“My wall of books, it is awesome,” Parks said with a laugh as she pointed to hundreds of books. “It appeals to students – it's fun, it’s colours.
“I love this school because these kids deserve first-class facilities. I am so thrilled that the students have something so beautiful.”
It’s a nice library at St. Luke’s, with cool books from Kesey to Fallis, but there’s another pretty impressive library in the building as well.
St. Luke’s Outreach Centre, which is on the third floor, will have access to the new Okotoks Public Library two floors down.
All St. Luke's students received a free library card and are using the facility.
Vice-principal Dylan Sinclair will continue to help students workout at St. Luke’s — but now in an area designed for physical activity.
“It functions as a real fitness centre,” Sinclair said. “It’s more visual (than the previous) facility, it is more accessible for kids and it's easier to supervise.
"It’s been used every single day. And you have to get this in there - the user fee is the low, low, price of free.”
Brand was touched and a bit tongue-tied to hear Parks and Woehleke say the students deserve the new facility.
“Maybe not us specifically, but teenagers deserve a place like this,” Brand said. “School is not supposed to be a giant burden on you. An environment like this is a lot better to be successful in getting the grades and getting the work done and becoming an adult in the real world.”
