=; hen a stuc DUCATION it becomes a parent ew program at Sutherland secondary gives teenage parents a second chance 7 HE BIGGEST obstacle for any teenage parents in con- pnuing their education has geen removed on the North nna Marie D'Angelo ews Reporter A recently introduced high-school ucation prograin this year includes daycare set up next to Sutherland ondary, Where 22 young mothers d mothers-to-be are taking part in ne Learning Together program. The News recently spoke to two ioms who went back to school this Ball. “T want to finish my education so can show miy child when he gets Ider that I] graduated and he has to po.” said Tania Haanilron, 19, in a mheery daycare room !ocated in the asement cf Sutherland Bible hapel. Hamilton, who is in Grade 10, is lhe mother of four-month-old akaya Hamilton-Moody. Hamilton as joined by mother Gillian leasdale, 18, who is also in the pro- Bleasdale said she completed ade 11 while pregnant. Now. with 1-month-old son Matthew in the aycare, Bieasdale is planning to tegrate into routine classes and fin- ish high school. “You really can't do much (with- ut Grade 12). You couldn't do any- hing that would be satisfying in ife,” said Bleasdale, who lives with gher parents. She said it was too early to tell ow other Sutherland students have eacted to her being parent. Her iends, she said, “are great” and sup- ort her endeavors. NEWS photo Neil Luce: NEW MOM Gillian Bleasdale, with son Matthew, plans to complete her high schoo! education in a program set up at Sutherland secondary which alse includes a nearby daycare service. But, « “1 Bleasdale. “I think that older peuple still have a problem accepting it,” North Shore Health spokesman Franca Bertencin said 40 North Shore women aged 13 to 19 have babies each year. “Most of these girls keep their babies now. It’s estimated from 90% to 95% do,” said Bertoncin. Bertoncin agreed with Bleasdale about the grime prospects for work FOR THE PEAK OF THE SALES SHOP THE FLYERS WEDNESDAY *Eatons *Sears FRIDAY "Consumers Distributing “General Paint *Color your World "Skytolk Future Shep *Moores the Suit People *West Van Florist & Garden Centre *Real Estate Weekly The Bradford Exchange Watch for ovr Real Estate Homes Section. SUNDAY *Super Valu "IGA Plus *Reol Canadian Superstore *Wal Mart Safeway Save-On-Foods Shoppers Drug Mart if you miss any of these flyers call our Distribution office at 986-1237 * delivered to selected areas only facing teenage parents. “Here they are with one child, some of them have two,” said Bertoncin. “Their prospects of get- ting a fob that pays above minimum wage are poor.” Bleasdale said that after getting her Grade 12. she wouid eventually like to work in Early Childhood Education. Hamilton's plans include being a “full-time mom for a couple of years” and eventually starting a cleaning business with her mother. Hamilton currently lives with her spouse and is older than most of the students at Sutherland. She has decided not to integrate into regular Sutherland classes. Instead, Hamilton will get her Grade 12 equivalent through the program. As far as the program's operation goes, the daycare is set up iemporari- ly in three rooms at the church. A permanent daycare for 24 children up io age thre is slated to be com- pleted in March on the Sutherland schval grounds. When that happens. program par- ticipants will go from half days to a full school days of instruction. Program instruction will include academics, counselling and life skills tailored to individua! students, said Bertoncin. “There wilt be other courses that regular high school students won't get like budgeting and parenting,” said Bertoncin. Right now, 22 parents, including a few pregnant women, are taking part in the community initiated pro- gram. Twelve available daycare spaces in the temporary site provide care for [6 children during the school week. Parents wishing to integrate into routine classes don’t do so until the second semester of classes in the program. All the program participants are women, but single-parent young dads are ciigible to be considered for the program. Funding for the North Shore Neighbourhood House-operated day- care came from the provincial gov- ernment. North Vancouver District 44 Schools fund the education com- ponent. The program was supported by various community groups and has been in the works since 1990. Young parents must meet a crite- ria to be part of the program. Tne daycare is free to parents wilh iow income. Anyone interested in taking part in the Learning Together program this year must register before Friday, Sept. 30. Call Faye Hudson at 985- 5301 or Tricia Andrew at 987-8138 for information. Capilano College appoints new chair and vice-chair Robin Wilson and Jack McKeown take new positions CAPILANO COLLEGE’S Board of Governors have elected a new Chair and Vice- Chair to serve for the coming year. Robin Wilson, a board member since 1988 and Vice- “Chair for the past two years, was eiected Chair RECENTLY APPOINTED Boare of Governors chair Robin Wilson. Wilson is principal of Robin Wilson & Associates. a taarketing consulting firm located in North Vancouver. She is a life-long resident of the North Shore and has always been zctively involved in the com- munity, including work with Girl Guides and as a fonser director of the Capilano College Foundation and Family Services of the North Shore. Jack McKeown, a Board mem- ber since 1989, was elected Vice- Chair. McKeewn is a former deputy minister in the British Columbia government, and is now an inter- nationa: business consultant. He is also active in the Alzheimer Society of B.C. and the Canada- Japan Society. “The board of Capilano College is looking forward io aa exciting and productive year,” said Wilson. “With che new library fully operational, we look forward to the construction of the new Student and Instructional Services building at Lynnmour, as well as the new campus at Squamish.” The board is currently working with the Ministry of Skills, Training and Labour to obtain approval for Capilano College to grant four-year applied degrees. “Applied degree programs at Capilano College would better prepare students for employment in today’s changing economy.” Wilson said. “We are looking at offering JACK MCKEOWN, the new Capilano College board vice- chair. applied degrees in areas showing strong employment growth, such as Telecommunications Manage- ment, Tourism Management and Information Technology.” Capilano College serves the Lower Mainland. Howe Sound and the Sunshine Coast through campuses in North Vancouver, Squamish and Sechelt. The Colleye currently enrolls approximately 6,000 credit stu- dents, with another 6,000 students enrolled in non-credit programs. Pa