Andrea Gerber and  Jo-Dee Desjardine, of the Avon Maitland Student Re-Engagement Program.Andrea Gerber and Jo-Dee Desjardine, of the Avon Maitland Student Re-Engagement Program.
Midwestern

Students Earning Diplomas Through Re-Engagement Program

Twenty-eight students got their high school diploma last year through the Avon Maitland Student Re-Engagement Program.

Teacher Andrea Gerber and Program Lead Jo-Dee DesJardine made a presentation to the board last night and explained that some students find working in a classroom difficult for a number of reasons ranging from lack of one-on-one instruction, too many distractions, bullying at school and some students have young children, and that makes it difficult to attend school on a regular basis.

Gerber explains they contact students who are at risk through the schools but they also connect with students who have left school in a number of ways. They work with students between the ages of 18 to 21, and are currently helping about 22 students and are in the process of adding more. She adds some students do their work on-line but others prefer to work one-on-one with an instructor.

Any students who have left school before receiving a diploma and would like to go back and get it can contact Jo-Dee Desjarden at South Huron District High School, or Andrea Gerber at Northwestern Secondary School in Stratford.

Read More Local Stories

New military crosswalk rendering. (Image courtesy of the Sarnia Legion Branch 62)

New military crosswalk in Sarnia to be unveiled

As part of a partnership between the Sarnia Legion Branch 62 and City of Sarnia, an unveiling ceremony will be held at the corner of Christina Street and Wellington Street on Sunday, June 7, at 2 p.m.

Members of the Sarnia Police Service entering a Tashmoo Avenue residence on June 4, 2026. (Photo courtesy of the Sarnia Police Service)

Two men arrested in Tashmoo Ave. standoff

Sarnia police said the investigation began on May 29 after the victim was allegedly attacked by acquaintances at a residence near Tashmoo Avenue and Christopher Drive at Aamjiwnaang First Nation.