Teachers have been volunteering their time throughout the summer to help Ukrainian newcomers practice their English and get ready for school in Burnaby.
Dozens of children whose families fled from the war in their home country of Ukraine have found friendship, learning opportunities, and shared some smiles at a summer reading program created by the District’s Settlement Workers in Schools program and brought to life by volunteer teachers.
Armstrong elementary school teacher Iuliia Sukhina-Volkova, who speaks Ukrainian, leads the club for younger students. It began in mid-June on weekends with space provided by the Cameron and Tommy Douglas library branches.
École Alpha Secondary teacher Cristina McAllister heard about the elementary club and offered to help. She has been running a secondary reading club for high school students from Ukraine.
To learn more about the impact of the clubs on students and their families, see the news stories linked below. The reading groups will continue into the fall.
LEARN MORE:
Ukrainian refugee families find friendship, support through B.C. reading club
CTV News, August 13, 2022
Burnaby reading club helps Ukrainian refugee kids learn English, make friends
Burnaby Now, July 6, 2022
Posted September 2022