Collaboratively compile a list of useful multi-lingual (or monolingual) resources or programs to share with parents at varying points of the school year or their child's academic career (K-12). This could include local resources from school board's, cities, cultural organizations, places of worship, settlement groups, etc.  These programs or resources could be for their child or for themselves to learn more about Ontario schools.

The 519 is a downtown Toronto centre that primarily serves the LGBTQ community. It is open to helping anyone and has many different programs and services available. The 519 has multiple programs available for newcomers to Canada. These programs include: A Taste of French, Among Friends LGBTQ Refugee Support Group, Basketball Basics, Breakthrough LGBTQ Newcomer Network, Emerge LGBTQ Mentorship Program, Newcomer Settlement Service, Newcomer Youth Mentorship, Next Steps, and Youth Engagement Program. I feel that the Newcomer Settlement Service would be extremely beneficial to newcomer parents. They would provide “one-on-one assistance” and could help parents navigate the school system and any potential questions they might have. This in turn helps students feel more secure since they can also attend these sessions and have their questions answered. The 519 ensures that services are always available and provided in multiple languages. The 519 also has programs for children and youth, so that an entire family can be supported during their transition to Canadian life. 

This is an online resource that helps families to understand the Ontario school system. The secondary school guide is available in English, French, and Arabic. The guide covers what subjects students must take, student health, how classes are taught, how to register for school, and how parents can help their children to succeed. This resource has depth and could help parents who speak the above three languages learn what to expect when their child attends an Ontario school. 

-          Information on how to register elementary and secondary students who are newcomers to Canada can be found through this link. There are phone numbers and addresses for newcomer reception centres in Toronto for further assistance on how to locate necessary services. These centres will also provide information on school ELL and ELD programs. 

o   http://www.tdsb.on.ca/Newcomers/Students/Registration-Reception-Centres 

West End Reception Centre 

777 Bloor Street West, 4th floor 

Toronto, ON (south side of Bloor St. at Christie subway station) 

416-393-0542     Map and directions to West End Reception Centre

 

Georges Vanier Reception Centre 

3000 Don Mills Road East  

Toronto, ON (Don Mills Road East, south of Finch)

416-395-9440    Map and directions to Georges Vanier Reception Centre

 

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-          Adult Credit Programs: For newcomers to Toronto, the TDSB offers adult students Ontario curriculum content courses in order to earn one’s Ontario Secondary School Diploma for more academic and/ or workforce opportunities. There are options that can be taken for these courses: Adult high schools, night school, or e-Learning.

http://www.tdsb.on.ca/Adult-Learners/Adult-Credit-Programs
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-          TDSB Welcoming Communities for Newcomer Youth and Kids: a structured mentorship program for new Canadian students in TDSB elementary schools, middle schools and secondary schools. Working alongside our program staff, and a peer helper, newcomer students participate in a variety of group activities designed to help ease some of the transitional challenges faced when settling into Canadian culture. Activities may include: homework clubs, English conversation circles, sports and recreational activities, table tennis lessons, a reading buddy program, steel pan drums lessons, field trips and a culturally-based culinary program.

Tel: 416-395-2027

Fax: 416-395-2037

 

http://www.tdsb.on.ca/Newcomers/Adults/Settlement-Services/Welcoming-Communities

-          There is a service offered by the Ministry of Education of Ontario where students are welcome to utilize the website to receive free, live, online math tutoring from certified Ontario teachers. 

o   http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/elearning/homework.html 

-          Supports and Resources for Newcomers to Learn about education, its different levels, and schooling programs in Ontario: 

o   Ontario Ministry of Education www.edu.gov.on.ca

o   Ministry of Education (Publications are available in 28 languages) http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/multiLanguages.html  

o   Universities Canada https://www.univcan.ca/

http://www.tdsb.on.ca/Elementary-School/Caring-Safe-Schools/Caring-Safe-School-Committee 

 

-          Safe and Positive Spaces: The TDSB has a positive space initiative that is part of Ontario’s Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy.  The campaign is one way we make our buildings safe, inclusive, and welcoming places that are respectful of gender and sexual diversity. This space will be identified by a Positive Spaces poster and will be accessible to the whole school community for private conversation and groups.

 

 

o   There is a document that provides tips on how to handle harassment in schools. http://www.tdsb.on.ca/Portals/0/AboutUs/Innovation/docs/How_to_Handle_Harassment.pdf 

o   Ontario is implements Equity and Inclusive Education Strategies

§  Gender-based Violence Prevention Program: We are committed to creating learning environments where people of all gender identities, gender expressions and sexual orientations feel empowered and supported. 

§  http://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Innovation/Gender-Based-Violence-Prevention

People for Education is an organization that works to support positive change in education as well as build connections between parents, teachers and administration. There website is a wonderful tool for parents new to the province to learn about the structure and function of the Ontario school system. It provides information about all levels of Ontario public education (i.e. early childhood, elementary, secondary, and French language), the roles of different stakeholders within the system, as well as provides tips for parents. Additionally, it also provides parents of secondary school students information on course selection and graduation requirements. I believe this website serves as a great tool for newcomer parents as it provides them with vital information so they can understand what their child’s educational experience will look like, as well as provides the know how to ensure their child is receiving the tools and resources needed to be successful.

On the Ontario Ministry of Education website there is a catalogue of information resources meant to help support student learning at home, as well as provide information regarding the different facets of the boards composition. However, what really makes this tool accessible and useful for parents whose first language is not English, is that these resources are available in 25 different languages. By making these important fact sheets multilingual, newcomer parents can learn more about their child’s education as well as feel more welcome and included in their new home. Consequently, by supporting parent’s involvement students will hopefully be receiving the educational support they need both at school and at home.  

Dial 211 from any phone for information on:
• Financial & social assistance

• Housing & utility help

• Parenting & family programs

• Government program assistance

• Volunteer organizations

• Newcomer services

Family Treasures and Grandma's Soup:  A Dual Language Book Project - http://www.duallanguageproject.com/parents.html

Reading Tips for Parents in 11 Languages - http://www.readingrockets.org/article/reading-tips-parents-multiple-languages?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Hootsuite&utm_campaign=RRSocialMedia

https://www.dpcdsb.org/Documents/NewcomerReceptionCentreBrochure.pdf 

 

One of the support services that families may be referred to is called the Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood centre. This centre and website provides families with information about employment services, access to English classes, and information on how to get in contact with settlement workers in the language that you speak at home.  They provide a wide array of programs including a Youth Employment Initiative that is geared toward newcomers ages 15 to 29 to employment services in Mississauga. The Bloor Dixie Neighbourhood Centre is geared toward newcomer youth as well as newcomer adults with various needs. 

https://dixiebloor.ca/ 

Immigrant Services in Guelph offers an extensive amount of services to help newcomers to Guelph. Under the section of Services there is a Translation and Interpretation Program, which allows new Canadian families to use local community members to interpret and translate documents or information needed to transition into a new neighbourhood. There are also projects that are available, such as Circle of Learning that help newcomers gain financial independence. 

Recently, Guelph saw a number of Syrian refugees immigrate to the area. To help them settle into their new community, the school has set up multiple ways to help the new families from clothing drives to welcome barbecues at the schools. In addition to information on schools, there is a flyer in both English and Arabic to help the parents register their children into the closest school. 

They also offer a resource centre with computers, fax, photocopier and library. The YMCA also offers important settlement information sessions to help you learn about, and prepare for life in Canada. Topics include: Discovering Canada; Studying in Canada; and Working in Canada. They also have volunteer services and guest speakers that come in.