Since January, 42 new students from Syria started attending Duc d’Anville Elementary school in Clayton Park.
The school already featured a diverse population as about 40 per cent of the 300 plus students speak English as a second language.
“We’re used to having people from diverse backgrounds,” says principal Ken Rutley. “And we try to make our school a welcoming one.”
Canada’s response to the Syrian refugee crisis greatly increased the number of students the school accepted this year. It accepted so many students that it was reasonable to wonder how everyone would get along.
“Any new student, when they come to Duc d’Anville, will hit little bumps along the way,” he says.
It’s working out pretty well, he says. The new students are fitting right in, with the only difficulties being those you would expect from any kids.
“For example, they sometimes have disputes in games of soccer about whether it was a goal or not, or whether someone got tagged or didn’t, or they’re not sharing the swing or a piece of equipment on the playground,” he says.
In other words, they’re fitting right in.
There are positive experiences, too. Many of the new families are making connections and one of the first arrivals already gained such a mastery of English that he provides translation to more recent newcomers.
“We have many students who speak Arabic and they act as language ambassadors,” Rutley says.
