Providing Opportunities for Meaningful Participation: Calgary High School Hits the Mark!

I was greeted by the friendly staff in the office and was taken on a tour of the school by the Principal, Bill Bobenic. He began to explain to me the different opportunities that students have to acquire knowledge and skills in the school. Students can opt for the I.O.P. (Individual Occupation Program) route, or follow the requirements necessary to obtain an Alberta High School Diploma. Both programs balance academics and occupational courses. “We are empowering through hope and opportunity for all. Our business is to produce strong citizens by providing opportunities for students to change their lives”, says Bobenic.

As we finished our tour I ran down my checklist of the shops we visited: arts, child care, commercial foods, construction services, fashion and fabric, hair care/cosmetology, horticulture, office services, service station, small engines, technical arts, welding, auto body, building maintenance, and building services. There is also a Resource Officer and a Probation Officer on site. Additional support is provided through an Aboriginal Pride Program within the school, an AISI teacher supports multiple literacy, while the counseling and resource centres benefit students academically and emotionally. There was an aroma wafting through the air, I knew what it must be - the smell of success!

I could not help notice that there was a huge wooden structure protruding out one side of the school. When I moved in for a closer look I found the beginnings of a new home. Jack James High School, in collaboration with Homes by Avi, builds a house on the school grounds, which is later transported to a lot in the city and sold to a prospective buyer. Homes by Avi provide the materials and transportation for the project and the school supplies the labour.

When the project is completed in the spring, students of the construction service class have the opportunity to visit the lot where the home is placed onto the foundation. “This is a real life experience. Students who work on this project learn how to cooperate and problem solve; learning skills and techniques for the booming construction industry”, says Construction Services Teacher, John Szymoniak.

Another prospect for student engagement will be added to the repertoire in the new year. Students will have the opportunity to register for a course that will increase their understanding of the role of hope in their lives. In addition, they will develop leadership and citizenship skills through the service learning component of the program. Cynba Gray believes that this course will empower students, “When students are able to help others it gives them a sense of pride and self worth.”

No matter how you look at it, Jack James High School is your “onestop shop”! It does not matter which staff you encounter in the school, they have this amazing talent to engage students. They look beyond the exterior shields of the goth, mohawk and bravado to discover the talented, witty, compassionate and inspiring students beneath. Sharon Cahill describes the latent potential of her creative arts students that may have been subdued by life's circumstances, “I am fortunate to have the time to bring out their talent and potential. Once you channel it, they can do wonderful things. They learn to believe in themselves.”

Students at Jack James High School have opportunities to excel academically, socially, emotionally, and culturally. If you are a student looking for the road to success look no further. When you arrive on the door step of Jack James High School your journey begins!