January 19th, 2015

At Sunnyside Public School, it’s not unusual to hear students speaking in many languages as they move throughout their day, both in class and out, to support their learning. In the last few years, this phenomenon has spread to include a multilingual approach with families as well.

On January 15, Sunnyside PS hosted their second Newcomer Mother’s Group meeting of 2014-2015. The Mother’s Group was started by a mother seven years ago who was looking to connect with other mothers from her community. Approximately 50 mothers, grandmothers, and female family members of Sunnyside students, all recent immigrants to Canada, meet to learn together, support each other, and socialize. The women sit with others who share a common language, along with interpreters, and enjoy the chance to interact with others from their cultural background. While their children play games, participate in arts and crafts, or have fun in the gym, the mothers hear from speakers on topics chosen by them to help meet the needs of their family and themselves: medical care, the school system, housing, creating resumes and preparing for interviews, etc.  — all translated into their mother tongue. Afterwards, everyone enjoys a delicious dinner catered by many of the mothers!

The school is so thankful for the volunteers, families staff and their school Settlement Worker from the YMCA Immigrant Services who help make this wonderful, community building event such a success! Keep the pride in Sunnyside!

To see when their next meeting is, please visit their school calendar.

 

 

 

 

 

Categories: Community · Learning · Schools Tags: community · Newcomer Mother’s Group · parent engagement · parent learning · School of the Day · Sunnyside Public School