Letter to the Editor: OASIS K-8: An Alternative Education Option

Experts say the best way parents can be involved in their child’s education is to support learning at home. For some students, this literally means learning in an alternative environment such as the home and community. Orcas Island School District’s OASIS A.L.E. K-8 program is designed to help parents who want a home-based and/or alternative educational option for their children.

The Orcas Alternative for Student Initiated Studies (OASIS) School was created in 2001 by a group of parents working in partnership with the district’s administration. Their goal was to create an alternative education school within the district, based upon the Washington State rules for Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) programs. In 2006, the OASIS High School program was established to provide an Alternative High School option for Orcas students.

Last year, the OASIS K-8 Site Council was formed as an administrative advisory committee dedicated to supporting and improving the OASIS K-8 program.  The site council has recently created a handbook that better defines the program. Barbara Kline, OISD superintendent and ALE site council advisory member, is pleased with the council’s work. “They’ve really worked hard to ensure that the program remains flexible enough to meet the needs of every learning style.”

The parent council members — Donna Laslo, Michel Vekved, Andria Hagstrom, Beth Reigel, and Susan McCaull – worked with Superintendent Barbara Kline and former Principal Tom Gobeske as well as several teaching staff members to create a handbook for incoming families. In announcing the new handbook, ALE Site Council Chair, Donna Laslo noted, “With the guidance of the school board and the staff, we’ve been able to create a communication protocol that really streamlines and strengthens the whole program.”

The program is flexible and open-ended, allowing it to support families in many different ways.  Site Council Treasurer and ALE parent, Michel Vekved, noted, “ALE is a great option for a lot of families who want to support to the school on some level, but want to play more of a role in directing their child’s education.”

Reimbursement for expenses associated with classes, curriculum materials, tutoring and other items is available to ALE students. Part-time enrollment is also available. Susan McCaull, Vice-Chair, notes “It’s a win-win. The district is able to retain these students, who bring in state enrollment dollars, while the families are able to access instructional support funds to pay for curriculum and classes.”

As a way to get updates on the program, answer any questions, network and re-connect with one another, the site council will host and an Orientation Social at the elementary school, Sept. 3, 1-3 p.m . Everyone is welcome to attend. Staff and site council members will be present at both events to answer questions. On Sept. 3rd everyone will receive a copy of the Oasis handbook. There will be fun activities for the kids to enjoy and they might even meet some new friends.

If you are currently a homeschooling parent or are considering home-based education and are interested in the K-8 ALE program, please contact Linda Sullivan or Mandy Randolph at 376-2286.

By Elizabeth Morris