Learning centre of ‘cultural expression’ opens

BY ANDY BLATCHFORD

andy.blatchford@transcontinental.ca

Room 257 at Riverdale High School has become a portal to the community, now that the Pierrefonds school has inaugurated the West Island’s first Community Learning Centre.

On Monday, the Pierrefonds school and the West Island Black Community Association unveiled what they hope will be a second home to students. Quoting an old African proverb, WIBCA’s Tommie James spoke to dozens of students who filled the transformed classroom over the lunch hour.

“It takes a village to raise a child,” said James, the association’s educational co-ordinator and vice-chair. “Education is the only way that you can find your way in the world.”

With the help of $150,000 in funding from Quebec, the three-year program is one of 15 across the province.

It is only the second of its kind on the island of Montreal, WIBCA chair Veronica Johnson said. She said the partnership will take aim at stemming high school dropout rates by connecting with students.

Johnson said it’s harder than ever for parents to find time to be closer to schools.

“It’s tough for parents to manage,” Johnson said. “Our society is just getting busier and busier.”

Students are invited to drop in for games during lunch periods and use their after-school visits to target their homework.

Led by co-ordinator Otis Grant, a former World Boxing Council international super middleweight champion, the learning centre will provide kids with assistance from retired teachers and other qualified personnel.

Grant said the WIBCA room will offer a “wide-spectrum” of services, from social development to family support to sports.

He said the centre is open to everybody — no matter what their background is.

“My job is to build relationships . . . and bridge the gap between the school and the community,” he said.

Lester B. Pearson School Board commissioner John Killingbeck said sharing buildings with the community will help local kids.

“The more we’re involved with the

community, the better,” Killingbeck said. “(Students) don’t just need help from 9 to 3. Knowing that this room is here they can come and feel at home, socialize and

really get directed in their learning.”

Riverdale principal Tom Rhymes said the learning centre will be a much-needed boost in an area the school was lacking.

“It’s bringing the community into the school,” he said. “It gives us a centre for cultural expression.

“(Students come from) 82 countries of origin in this school. People need to recognize that and people need to celebrate that.”