Give Louise Dean Centre its own location, say families of Jack James High School students

Families of Jack James High School students are speaking out against the proposal to relocate Louise Dean Centre — a Calgary program for pregnant teens and young moms — to the school in Forest Lawn.

Current students and graduates of Louise Dean have previously come together in an effort to save the standalone school.

But now, parents at the other school, Jack James, say they also oppose the move. For them, it's a question about resources.

They're concerned that making space for Louise Dean students will take away from students at Jack James. 

Hedji Hodson, a mother of a Grade 10 student at Jack James, says their voices haven't been heard throughout the process.

"They need to give us the chance to talk," said Hodson about the Calgary Board of Education (CBE), which is making its final decision about the move in a public board meeting on Nov. 29.

"I don't think they should be allowed to make a decision about the future of our children when they don't have children in our schools."

Hodson says she wants CBE to find Louise Dean Centre its own standalone school, which will protect the young moms from discrimination, while not taking away from Jack James students.

Repairing the Lousie Dean building would cost approximately $17 million, compared with $5.6 million to relocate the program to Jack James.

"Why can't we put that $5.6 million that they want to use ... and put that towards a building where these girls can go and be safe and they don't have to worry?"

She isn't alone. Hodson says there's resounding opposition from other parents who are concerned that the relocation will disrupt their childrens' education, but are nervous to speak out.

Keep both important schools separate, says one grandmother

It's an issue that Shawna Bye says is dear to her heart. Her eldest daughter attended Louise Dean nearly a decade ago, and one of her granddaughters graduated from Jack James last year.

The mother of seven is also against the relocation.

"I wholeheartedly support both schools," said Bye. "I just don't think they would do well together because they're both diverse in different ways."

Bye has used the pre-school program at Jack James for three of her kids and seven of her grandkids. She says if it's hindered in any way, it could affect the whole community.

If the programs were to be completely separate in one school — "same building, flat wall between it" — she says it would be great. But that isn't the plan.

"I would like to see both schools remain separate entities with access to the resources they have. That's the best case scenario," said Bye.

Concerns about loss of facilities, violence

According to a public input meeting held by the CBE earlier this month, if the board approves the proposal, a number of areas on both floors of Jack James High School would be redeveloped for Louise Dean students.

The changes would include three classrooms for the moms and their children, a dedicated child care space, admin space for Louise Dean and their partner agency Kindred, among others.

Hodson said she wants to know how the students currently on those floors are going to be relocated.

This all comes after reports that 13-year-old boy was arrested earlier this week, following a stabbing of a Jack James High School student — a situation she says was devastating because her teenager was at school at the time.

For her, it's a question about resources.

"How do we protect young girls who are choosing to be young moms … if we can't protect the kids that are already in our school?"

Alberta Parents' Union weighs in

It's something Jeff Park, executive director of the Alberta Parents' Union, has been keeping an eye on. The union is made up of more than 16,000 parents and 1,000 teachers in the province.

He says the stabbing earlier this week undermines CBE's claims that safety is increasing at Jack James High School.

"Our members, including our members in the greater Forest Lawn area and Jack James, were pretty clear that … this was not a sound solution," said Park.

With a high graduation rate and many stories shared about how influential the school has been, Park says relocating Louise Dean will threaten the success of the program.

"The Calgary Board of Education should do everything in their power to keep the program as much the same as they can," he said. "Or at the very least, [find] a location that addresses the culture of excellence and safety concerns."

Calgary Board of Education responds

According to a statement from CBE, programming at Jack James High School will not be impacted for current students.

"In fact, Jack James students will have expanded access to LDS partners to support their learning. This increase in partnership support is expected to have significant positive benefits for future JJHS students," said the statement.

It's the only CBE school in the city that can offer dedicated spaces for Louise Dean students, said the statement.

"Should the board support the relocation for Louise Dean students, the transition and planning process includes an emphasis on safety planning for each student. This would include safety in entrance ways, sheltered learning spaces and childcare spaces exclusively for Louise Dean children."

Members of the public can provide written input to CBE's board of trustees until Nov. 22.