Students at Schaller Education Centre have found their voice.

The Saskatchewan Arts Board awarded Ranch Ehrlo’s Paper Crane Community Arts Centre with a $10,000 grant to finance an art project, benefiting the students of Schaller Education Centre.

“Like all Paper Crane programs, this project was designed to foster positive identity, to elevate self-esteem, and to engage youth while promoting learning through creativity,” said Amanda Scandrett, manager of Paper Crane Community Arts Centre. “The intention was to give youth a public forum to express themselves.”

Students at Schaller Education Centre worked with art therapist Dianne Shannon over a two-month period to create the artwork and journal entries that are posted online. A smaller group of students interested in building the site met with Dianne to choose the name, Schaller-We are Family, and design the webzine .

Throughout the project, students had the opportunity to express themselves through the creation, contribution, and reflection of visual art and writing.

Students were also provided with opportunities for personal growth by contributing to the production of the online publication, and by taking ownership and making decisions about the publication’s name, layout, and content.

“The programs and services delivered by Schaller Education Centre protect the identity of the students and families they serve, sometimes limiting the ability for the young people to express themselves,” explained Amanda. “This webzine project was an opportunity to provide the students with a vehicle for giving voice to their perspectives and experiences while maintaining their privacy.”

“The creative activities for this project offered Schaller students opportunities for self-expression and to learn more about each other. The artwork and writing they chose to post on the webzine raises awareness that the students are no different from other young people, although they may be overshadowed by negative perceptions associated with where they are at this point in time,” said Dianne.

The Schaller webzine can be found at http://schallerwebzine.com/.

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Schaller Education Centre is located at the Ranch Ehrlo Pilot Butte campus. The school is designed to provide academic assessment, modified programs, and behavioural stabilization in preparation for future educational placements. The facility includes five classrooms which accommodate up to 10 students per room, a Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation certified teacher and an educational assistant.

Schaller Education Centre curriculum follows Saskatchewan curriculum requirements, including all requirements set forth for Arts Education.