Settlement Workers Program
DSBN is partnered with the Settlement Workers in Schools program, which is a federally funded program for newcomers through Citizenship and Immigration Canada. SWIS workers help to get newcomer families involved in their school communities, and are often the liaison between home and school for families who speak a language other than English.
SWIS offers services such as:
- Interpreting from English to Arabic, Spanish, French, Chinese, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, and Pashto
- Explaining the Ontario and DSBN school systems, including programming options, school and grade placement, report cards, applied and academic courses, and graduation requirements.
- Helping students and families adjust and overcome language barriers and cultural differences.
- Providing professional development to staff about newcomer orientation, diversity, and cultural sensitivity.
- Co-presenting a bilingual ‘Parent Literacy Night’ at your school.
- Connecting newcomer youth with supportive peers in the school.
- Informing students and families about community supports and recreation.
The SWIS service is available to all DSBN schools. To organize a meeting with a SWIS worker, contact Baria Nasser, SWIS Niagara Coordinator.
email: bnasser@ymcaofniagara.ca
phone: 289-668-3197
www.settlement.org