Article profiles school

This article ran in the Plantation/Sunrise Forum newspaper on June 20, 2007

By Dave Rossman
Forum Staff Writer

Broward County high school students at risk of dropping out are getting a second chance to earn a high school diploma through the Life Skills Center in Oakland Park.
Life Skills is a charter school funded by the Broward County School Board and caters to students who face special circumstances.

Students have the option of attending morning, afternoon or evening sessions that are designed to accommodate employment and family responsibilities.

Principal Laurel E. Moorehead-Suarez said students come to Life Skills for many reasons.
"We have students who stopped attending classes and have fallen behind, children with attendance issues and teen parents." Moorehead-Suarez said.

She said often when people hear the words "alternative school," they wrongly envision a negative environment.
"Our students realize they have made mistakes, and they come to us dedicated and completely focused." Moorehead-Suarez said.

The curriculum is in full compliance with state standards, but there are additional requirements. Students must maintain employment for 90 days, and Employability Specialist Leutelia Sampson-Whitfield said the center also provides workplace instruction.

"We assist with job placement, but also help students with things like resume writing, cover letters and interview techniques," Sampson-Whitfield said.

Plantation resident Vanessa Lamarche, 16, said she came to Life Skills because she did not like the environment at her previous school.
"I was older than the other students there and really just didn't feel comfortable." Lamarche said.
She said that Life Skills has given her a second chance at a bright future and that she appreciates the individual attention.
"At other schools, you're just one student out of thousands, but here the teachers really spend time with you." Lamarche said.

Robert Albolino, 17, lives in Sunrise and said the school has helped him stay on the right track.
"They stopped me from slipping, helped me get on with my life, and they really treat us right." Albolino said.

Michelle Shew-A-Tjon, 17, of Plantation, came to Life Skills for different reasons.
"I model full time and travel. So, the school's flexibility allows me to stay current with my studies." Shew-A-Tjon said.

Chantae Jackson is the school's family advocate and said her role is vastly different from that of a typical guidance counselor.

"I come from a traditional guidance counselor background dealing with academic matters, but my responsibilities here are more rewarding." Jackson said.

She said she deals with students' personal issues or matters impacting classroom productivity.

"I help the students develop their own problem-solving skills and put them in touch with whatever assistance they may need."