Congratulations are certainly in order for Lake Babine Nation, who after a lengthy process now have three schools that have received certification.

Not only does certification allow Lake Babine Nation to administer education to their learners, but it also allows for the three schools to receive vital funding to continue educating learners from kindergarten through to high school.

From all accounts, the K'ay Skak Higher Learning Centre has already been a success for the students that are attending, their parents and Lake Babine Nation as a whole.

The school provides vital support for those students that were struggling to cope in the main stream education system for a variety of reasons.

When a student struggles their self esteem is low and it effects all facets of their life, but K'ay Skak is providing these students with a learning environment where they can excel.

Students are able to  build upon their self esteem as learners and many have re-entered the mainstream school system again.

Principal Garry Klugie said to me that the school has at least two or three students every term that re-enter Lakes District Secondary School and continue on to success. I was impressed to say the least because without K'ay Skak where would these kids be?

It is great to see Lake Babine Nation being so proactive in the education process and offering a path to future success for learners that have lost their way.

Comments from parents of the students at the school focussed on the flexibility and forgiveness that is provided to students as being a key to their child's success. Cultural aspects are recognized at the school which is also important.

Parents said to the assessment team during the process, that student retention at the school has been significant. To me this means that K'ay Skak is succeeding. When students come to school day in and day out, they are self engaged in the learning process.

Comments made to the assessment team by the students include, 'the school is safe,' 'I can talk to the staff,' "I feel comfortable here and I know I can't go to school elsewhere,' and 'I love K'ay Skak.'

These are comments that any school would envy from their students.

The success of K'skak is proof that at-risk students do need alternatives to the traditional system in order to succeed and many of those who have dropped out are be likely to return to school if it were a new, supportive and flexible setting such as the one offered by Lake Babine Nation.

The focus on culture at the Morris Williams Memorial Preschool was also something that the assessment team highlighted as an aspect of success.

Through their pre school Lake Babine Nation are laying the foundation for the future success of their learners.

So I say 'Way to go Lake Babine Nation', you are not only doing your membership proud, but also 亚洲天堂 Lake proud. I hope that other communities will look towards implementing a similar program to Lake Babine's model of education, especially for at risk students.