A Foundation for Bright Futures

February 2010 will be an exciting time for Edmonton Public Schools as we celebrate the official launch of our new District-level Foundation. Meet Sandra Woitas, the Foundation's Director, who is looking forward to working with parents, students and community members to raise the profile of public education and enhance the learning opportunities in classrooms across the District.

Building Bridges

As an Education Broker working at the Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, Sepideh Tadaiyon often sees herself as an extended member of the families she supports. Her work involves bringing together community agencies with schools in our District to help immigrant and refugee families adjust to life in Canada.

We spoke to Sepideh about the resources the Mennonite Centre provides and the ongoing success of the English Language Learner initiative, which helps youth with limited education experience and English skills transition into our school system.

Making the Connection

Developing relationships with community agencies, parents, Bands and Elders is at the very heart of Sharon Bourque's work as an Aboriginal Education Consultant with Edmonton Public Schools. Passionate about her job and the effort her department makes to forge strong connections with the community, Sharon discusses how the District is helping Aboriginal students get the supports they need to thrive and experience success at school and in life.

Resilient Learners Rise Up

As a District, we are committed to ensuring students become the confident, skillful and resilient leaders of tomorrow. We are fortunate to share this goal with many community partners, including the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) organization. We met with Kerry Woodland, Manager of Service Delivery at BBBS, to learn more about the ways we're working together to build resiliency in youth by bringing positive relationships and mentors into their lives.

New Neighbours, New Beginnings

Helping students and families who are new to Canada feel welcomed and supported is a top priority for our school district, and one that defines Oliver Kamau's work as a Regional Program Co-ordinator for the Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA). Oliver shares his insights on what makes our partnership with EISA so invaluable. He also explains its potential to become even stronger when our District opens a new Transition Centre for immigrant and refugee students and their families in Fall 2010.