Students hard at work building a sweat lodge, which was only possibly through Wesmor’s innovative five block structure.

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Foundations for a better future at Wesmor Public High School

Aug 22, 2016 | 6:55 AM

High school can be a daunting place, but not if you attend Wesmor Public High School.

At Wesmor, their five block system is the foundation for a successful and educational future.

Instead of studying four or five classes for months at a time, students intensely focus on two subjects for a 36 days. This allows for extensive hands-on learning, instead of skimming the surface of subject one hour at a time.

“You can spend a whole morning on a project,” vice-principal Jennie Green says. “A Native Studies class can head out to a reserve and do a real sweat, rather than just learning about it in a classroom.”

Students such as Drake are encouraged to take their learning outdoors.

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The flexible five block system works for every student, and can help put students on the right path to graduation. If a student only needs a few more credits to graduate, they can quickly earn their remaining credits and get out into the work force in only a few short weeks instead of several months.

It’s also perfect for any working students who have essential obligations outside school, such as work or family.

In fact, Wesmor is committed to preparing students for life outside of high school in the work force. A career coach with the school division is located right inside the school, ready at any time to help students work on their resumes and prepare for a job.

Last year two Grade 12 students graduated from the career and work experience programs, and now both of them have full-time jobs. “They were just so proud of themselves for having that,” Green says.

Thanks to their Emergency Service Response Training program, which is going into its fourth year, students can get on the fast-track to becoming firefighters or public safety workers. It’s a hands-on learning course which Green says can step off into different fields such as conservation or first aid.

Through the hands-on Emergency Service Response Training program students are placed on the fast-track to future careers as fire fighters and emergency responders.

Responsive and understanding learning is key to what Wesmor provides. Many students have come to Prince Albert from northern Saskatchewan to capitalize on their innovative block system, leading to a large First Nations population at the school.

Through the Following Their Voices program, First Nations, Metis and Inuit students learn culturally responsive teachings in a respectful environment, fostering authentic relationships between staff and students.

“One of our First Nations students said in all her years of going to school and learning all the different subjects, this was the first time she really learned where she was from,” Green says.

The Following Their Voices program has been very successful at Wesmor, and contributed to a significant increase in credits and graduates since it began. Just last year there was a 67 per cent increase in credits handed out for Grade 10 and 12 students, and 32 per cent more students graduated, all thanks to the strategies and cultural responsiveness built into the program.

Through intimate programs such as Following Their Voices and Leadership and Special Projects classes, students foster a healthy sense of self-esteem and deep knowledge to carry them into adulthood.

“I see this initiative as providing a real choice for our students’ future as they will leave our school with academic knowledge and pro-social behaviours that we feel will help them become leaders in our community,” Wesmor principal Cory Trann says.

Eager students can also succeed beyond their wildest dreams through Leadership and Special Project classes, which is a pull-out class for students desiring to earn extra credits.

Wesmor Public High School strives to provide a better education and experience for students, but also for youth around the world. The school is associated with the Free the Children initiative, which works to help build a village in developing countries. Students will sell baked goods for fundraisers and work on social justice projects to raise awareness and funds.

“We’re educating future citizens who are engaged and who will positively contribute to society,” Green says.

Social activities are also undertaken on the local level, thanks to the Wesmor Fashion Show. Graduation can be expensive, but through the fashion show dresses and outfits are sent in and haircuts are provided for students worried about not being able to afford graduation.

It all cumulates in a fashion show where students can show off their designs and looks in a safe, respectful and empowering way.

“It’s a labour of love which has become a real community supported endeavour,” Green says.

Information on the upcoming 2016-2017 year can be found on their website, on their Facebook and Twitter.