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WIN Program gives middle-schoolers the Canadian school experience
Learn more about the Welcome Information for Newcomers (WIN) at Fisherville Senior Public School.
The Welcome Information for Newcomers (WIN) program gives newcomer children the opportunity to get a sense of Canadian schools before attending their grade 6, 7, or 8 class for the first time. Natalia Kachan, a School Settlement Worker, has been part of the annual program since its onset a decade ago. The WIN program was first introduced by SEPT (Settlement & Education Partnership of Toronto) and the SWIS (Settlement Workers in School) program. It was created as a result of a partnership between school boards and settlement agencies. Today, the WIN orientation program for newcomer students and their families is coordinated by the SWIS program agencies.
On September 1, 2022, the program participants enjoyed a day of activities, learning, and fun at Fisherville Senior Public School. North York Community House partnered with the Toronto District School Board to allow students to meet their first teacher in Canada ahead of the school year. School Settlement Workers Valentina and Ly, Natalia’s co-workers, supported her throughout the day. They helped set up, prepare food, and more, sometimes while Natalia translated for Russian-speaking students.
“The main goal of the program is that the students learn a little bit more about the school, the school system, and have the opportunity to socialize, so it won’t be as scary for them on their first day of school.” — Natalia
After name tags were distributed and the students had their breakfast, the group started with icebreakers and team building games before leading into activities to teach about school conduct, school supplies, what to bring for lunch, and more. The students took a tour of the school and got a sense of what a day in the life at a Canadian school is like for middle-schoolers.
“The big challenge this year, the big surprise, was that they would be using lockers and locks in middle school.”
The WIN staff and volunteers taught the children how to open combination locks on their own.
Beyond allowing the children to get familiar with the environment, the day had many occasions for the children to socialize.
“Socializing is very important at this age. We want to give them this opportunity to make friends or to teach them how to make new friends so they will be more comfortable when they start the school year.” — Natalia
The program is offered to middle school students because it is especially important for the children to learn how middle school is different than elementary school and so they can be better prepared for high school.
The school receives many newcomer children every year as it located in an area with many immigrants and refugees. It is also the only middle school in the area that offers this program.
“At different times, there are different streams. Currently, there is a fresh stream of students from Ukraine. Half of the students were from Ukraine, but this year we also had students from Egypt, Iran, China, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Cuba, the USA, and Israel,” Natalia explains.
Because of this, Natalia tries to find volunteers that match the language needs of the students.
The students face some challenges, particularly with English language skills. Natalia also notes that all school systems are different and that the children are experiencing many changes.
Natalia speaks to the highlights for her.
“…When they play different games, when they’re happy, when they like the food — because sometimes even the food is a new experience for them — their eyes when they want to know what’s in the bags that we give them at the end of the program.” — Natalia
The drawstring backpacks the students received contained a binder, paper, a pencil pouch, a math/geometry set, pens, mechanical pencils, highlighters, sticky notes, and a water bottle.
Usually, the WIN program involves activities for the parents, but this year they only did in-person activities with the children and the parents did an online session. They also provided pre-packed food to avoid contact.
At the end of the day, the Peer Leaders and volunteers, Yulia, Advitha, Jorem, Althea, Sebastian, Polina, and Leah were awarded a certificate.
“We gave them an appreciation certificate to show that this is a very honorable way to contribute to your community.”
The WIN program participants finished the day happy and prepared for their first school year at Fisherville Senior Public School thanks to the efforts of the staff and volunteers.
Tara Monfaredi is a writer, editor, and communication professional who roots her work in storytelling, language, and culture. She authored her first creative non-fiction story collection, Seeds, in 2020.