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By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

BUDGET CUTS IMPACT

Student devastated by closure of St. Gabriel Online School

May 9, 2020 | 4:11 PM

A student at St. Gabriel Online School says its impending closure will be devastating to students who rely on an alternative environment for learning.

Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools confirmed last month they will be eliminating funding for the school as part of its budget for next year. The decision has since been shared with families through a letter from the school’s principal.

“I wholly and completely know I never would’ve graduated without St. Gabe’s. I spent so much time in my high school years, especially, being so sick that at times I missed months of school,” says Alexis Holmgren, currently in grade 12. “I had six heart surgeries, including two that I had to fly to Minnesota for because of how specialized they were. I’ve done homework while in hospitals, doctors offices, while receiving infusions, in airports, and more. St. Gabe’s allowed me to take on the right amount of courses for my health needs and still graduate.”

Holmgren started at St. Gabriel in grade eight after being diagnosed with a rare genetic sudden arrythmia death syndrome, which places her at high risk of cardiac arrest. Due to this she carries an AED much of the time. Holmgren also can’t function in a regular classroom because she has a rare allergy to sunlight.

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“[My conditions] make schooling in a traditional classroom setting, completely unviable,” says Holmgren, who was planning to return to St. Gabriel in the fall to take a couple additional courses.

Alexis Holmgren, a grade 12 student at St. Gabriel Online School, lives with multiple rare and severe ailments that make learning in a traditional classroom setting impossible, she says. (Supplied)

Holmgren and her mom Sherri Lynne emphasize that their disappointment is certainly not with the teachers of St. Gabriel, whom they say care immensely for the students.

“As a parent, I have received no communication from the division or school directly letting me know how the kids will be helped in this transition,” says Sherri.

“St. Gabe’s fills a very real need, not only for medically fragile children, but also for Red Deer Rebels players. Surely we’ve realized with the recent school shutdowns due to COVID-19 that learning methods need to be fluid and just how important the different types of educational delivery are.”

Holmgren stresses losing St. Gabriel Online School will create a big gap in local learning.

“To ensure students like me with extra needs don’t fall through the cracks, the division needs to make correspondence courses and online courses that can be taken completely online or by distance learning more accessible,” says the life-long Girl Guide and advocate for diversity and inclusion.

The letter to families from St. Gabriel principal Michael Cellini says those who wish to continue online or distance learning can register for The Centre for Learning at Home, a program offered through Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools in Okotoks.

Cellini also explains that, “St. John Paul II Outreach School will be moved to St. Benedict the Moor Centre. The division has a plan for Notre Dame High School, St. Joseph High School and St. Dominic Catholic High School to offer online learning to students through a traditional schooling blended model. This means education will be done through both online learning and within the traditional classroom setting.”

“In the letter, it says the only online division school option is blended learning wherein some of the coursework is done online but students still need to attend a physical school in the classroom. That isn’t an option for me, being medically complex. I really wish the school division would reconsider their decision to close St. Gabe’s.”

Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools is scheduled to pass its budget on May 26.

(NOTE: This story has been corrected as the next RDCRS board meeting is on May 26, not May 27 as previously indicated)