Student will miss special attention

Re: “Closing of building to cut enrolment of adult students,” Dec. 11.

I grew up in a dysfunctional family and have fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. So obviously, school hasn’t been the easiest. From kindergarten to Grade 12, I went to nine schools.

Chinook Learning Centre isn’t one of them, but I have been upgrading there for almost three years and it’s the longest I have ever been in one place for my education.

I wish I was able to stay there longer. The supports they offer for students are incredible.

From free math tutoring, quiet rooms for kids like me who have major test anxiety, or if you just need a shoulder to cry on, they are there.

I have never been to a school before where I was accepted for myself, with my disability. I get no judgments — just encouragement here at Chinook.

All most teachers and counsellors ever expected from me before, was to stay at home, not hold down a job, collect a government cheque and live in subsidized living.

To now learn that Chinook Learning Centre is cutting its student population to 25 per cent is so heartbreaking. I am from the northwest, so I wouldn’t qualify to come here. I am over 20. And I grew up in the Catholic system.

So I guess you could say I have three strikes against me, so I’m out. I can’t come back and continue my education.

What scares me the most about this change is there will be other kids like me who are discouraged from school and who are vulnerable and need that safe environment and words of encouragement. Jayden Davidson, Calgary