Welcome to the Quesnel School District #28 School Notes. This is the first instalment of what will be a regular feature in the Quesnel Cariboo Observer. Our schools are busy places and there are always many interesting things happening that we are excited to share with you. The School District web page www.sd28.bc.ca is another way to find out about some of the great things happening in our schools.
Over the last eight years, the International Student program has grown, and as a result, district schools are becoming increasingly multicultural places. We have welcomed students from Korea, China, Hong Kong, Europe, Japan and South America. Many of our international students come to Quesnel to study for several years while others come for a short-stay to learn English and get a sense of our culture.
The most recent short-stay visit includes students from Seoul, Korea and Joinville, Brazil. On Jan. 7, 15 students from Brazil Grades 7 – 9 arrived in Quesnel for a month-long visit. We also have six Korean students, Grades 6 – 10 who will be staying in Quesnel for two months. The group could not have picked a better time to arrive with winter in full force. With plenty of snow on the ground and temperatures dipping below -35 C it was a real adjustment to a Canadian winter. The students from Joinville left home in their summer clothes with temperatures in the +30 C range.
Over the course of their visit to Quesnel, these students have been involved in many activities. A day on snow machines followed by an outdoor wiener and marshmallow roast was a hit, although there was some doubt expressed by one of the Brazilian students that outdoor cooking would be possible given the winter conditions. Downhill skiing was great fun. Many of these students had never been on skis before. Ice fishing and skating rounded out the group’s outdoor experiences.
An important component of the short-stay program is to involve students in as many cultural learning experiences as possible. Learning about Quesnel’s First Nations history and having some exposure to the richness of the Carrier culture is seen as a critical part of a visit to B.C. and Canada.
This group was able to spend three days at the Aboriginal Education Centre working with Mervin Nome, Ralph Weaver and Holli Garvin learning about ceremonial drumming, dancing and paddle-making as well as the traditions of hunting, fishing and story telling.
While they are here, all of the visiting students are placed with Quesnel homestay families.
This is an enriching experience for both visiting and host students. They live together, attend school together and participate in many of the scheduled activities together thus having the opportunity to learn about each other’s countries and culture first hand.
Lasting friendships have developed over the years through the homestay program and it is not uncommon for Quesnel students (and their families!) to travel abroad to meet up with these special friends.
We truly appreciate the support and opportunities our homestay families provide.
An exciting, comprehensive program does not come together without some hard work.
To that end, we would like to recognize District Principal of International Students, Robin Hay and activity coordinators Heather Taylor and Deb Harrington for the time and effort they put into making this a truly memorable stay for the visiting students and their homestay counterparts.
Sue-Ellen Miller is superintendent of schools and Cynthia Bernier is director of instruction – curriculum.
