Words from a Syrian Newcomer
The Board was privileged to hear from student newcomer Miriam Al Labad who was introduced by her Administrator Ross MacSorley (Stratford Central S.S.) and accompanied by Coralee Matthews (English as a Second Language Coordinator for AMDSB) and her family’s sponsor Jane.
In attendance also were Miriam’s mother and sister.
Please see Miriam’s full presentation.
The following are excerpts:
“My country Syria was very beautiful we were happy there. Syria is a beautiful country I love Syria so much, and I hope the war has ended there.
Before I came to Canada I lived in Lebanon for three years and a half. I found life difficult there, Lebanon is very small and many refugees live there. There are no jobs and everything is very expensive, I missed 5 years of study that was so hard for me.
I moved to Canada on 18 December, 2015. I was very scared because that’s a big change for me, I have to speak a new language. Everything was new to me! I found a nice people here who want to help.
I study in school Stratford Central, it’s a good school, and I am so happy to go back to school, there were a lot of teachers and students who wanted to help. The school gave us iPads. The iPad was so good it helped us a lot. At school sometimes the google translate didn’t make sense. It gave me old Arabic but the iPad helped me a lot. I could google search on the iPad and it gave me definitions of the words and then I understood. When I went to school last year my English was zero. At home I couldn’t study without my iPad!
Students at the school were all eager to get to know us and everyone said ‘Hello’ to us. That made us get used to the school and adapted to our new country.
The thing that helps to learn a language is to work so hard and do your best to learn. A new language requires a lot of time and a lot of patience
Ms. Matthews you worked so hard with me. Thank you!
I would also like to thank you all and all the people who have helped us.”
Good News
Over-and Above
Brought forward by Superintendent Peggy Blair: Andre Malley, a custodian at Goderich Public School, went above-and-beyond the call of duty and, in his off-time, built something special for Jack – a primary-grade student with autism.
This 40 second video reveals Andre’s creation … and his compassion.
Cashless
Brought forward by Trustee Julie Moore: “Parent feedback has been incredibly positive regarding the new School Cash Online program that began rolling out last month. It is very easy to use and and is a great way to engage parents in many non-cash aspects of their school life as well. Kudos to Avon Maitland central staff for the smooth launch of the service and their ongoing support to schools.”
Online payment systems provide parents with notification of school events/fundraisers and facilitate electronic payment, eliminating the need for paper order/permission forms and cash/cheques sent to school with students.Each school in the District will have the system in place by Spring 2017.
Future Board Meetings
(at Education Centre unless otherwise noted)
- Tuesday, October 11, 2016 – 5:45 p.m. Committee of the Whole – Open Session, 8:00 p.m. Regular Board Session
- Tuesday, October 25, 2016 – 8:00 p.m. Regular Board Session
- Tuesday, November 8, 2016 – 5:00 p.m. Audit Committee, 8:00 p.m. Regular Board Session
Future Meetings/Events with Trustee Representation
(at Education Centre unless otherwise noted)
- AODA: Wednesday, October 11, 2016 – 9:00 a.m.
- SAL: Tuesday, October 25, 2016 – 9:00 a.m.
- Director’s Review Committee: Tuesday, October 25, 2016 – 5:00 p.m.
- SEAC: Wednesday, November 2, 2016 – 4:00 p.m.
- Audit Committee: Tuesday, November 8, 2015 – 5:00 p.m.