Old becomes new again
NDDHS has given up part of its school to accommodate a new T.R. Leger adult high school campus. People celebrating its opening included dignitaries from the UCDSB, the schools and local politicians.   Vetter photo

Candice Vetter
Record Staff
CHESTERVILLE – T.R. Leger opened its newest adult high school campus in the west side of North Dundas District High School, at 12835 Hwy. #43, Chesterville, on Wed., March 7, with a light luncheon, ribbon-cutting and cake-cutting. Principal Sandy McInnes, Upper Canada District School Board Chair Jeff MacMillan, numerous T.R. Leger and NDDHS staff (for which there will be some crossover) and area politicians officially opened the school.

T.R. Leger now has 16 campuses in total throughout the Upper Canada District School Board. The Board has identified a need for more adult education (from age 16 up), while enrolment in regular school is decreasing, so it made sense to use part of the NDDHS campus to house T.R. Leger. The west entrance is now designated for the adult high school.

The adult high school provides a flexible learning environment, community use kitchen, access to community resources, and alternative teaching and learning styles. Students can come in to finish a high school diploma, earn credits for college, gain work experience or computer skills, complete upgrading to attend university or college, or get help with career pathway planning. (T.R. Leger works closely with NDDHS Guidance.)

Students can come in as little or as frequently as their work schedules allow and can choose from a variety of ways to learn. Although concentrated learning (focusing on one course at a time) has often been shown to be more effective and less frustrating for students, regular high schools still follow the standard methods of moving students from class to class several times per day. Why all classes are not taught this way sparked a conversation at the opening, with conversants agreeing that focused, flexible learning is more effective and more likely to produce good results.

The two schools will share the north east parking lot, and students should not park in the bus lot on the west side of the building.

Previously the nearest school was Morrisburg or Williamsburg, so this addition was warmly welcomed in North Dundas Township.

For more information about the programs see http://trleger.ucdsb.on.ca/.