INNISFAIL - The Red Deer Catholic Regional School (RDCRS) division has started warmly welcoming Ukrainian students and their families in the wake to the war in their homeland, said superintendent Kathleen Finnigan.
In her monthly report to trustees at the April 26 council meeting, Finnigan says six families have been welcomed to date and others are expected.
“Our students from Ukraine are excitedly welcomed into our school community,” said Finnigan. “Schools that have Student Ambassador Programs spend time touring the school community with the students and their family.”
The division is providing students with mentors who speak the same language or similar language to ease the transition, she said.
“We continue to access CARE to support both study and families as well as support the sponsor family.”
School councils in the division have been active in the process, providing school supplies, clothing and other necessities, she said.
“Many schools have been hosting fundraisers to support the people impacted by the war in Ukraine,” she said.
She said in view of the fact that there are unique teaching and learning considerations when designing instruction for students fleeing conflict, the division is implementing a number of supports, including personalized learning plans for each student, developing an understanding of the students’ background, interests and strengths, academic/diagnostic data analysis, short- and long-term goals, and strategies and instructional supports.
Other measures being undertaken include condensed curriculum, thematically organized curriculum that crosses discipline areas, and the use of digital resources, assistive technologies, and attention to computer literacy.
RDSC includes schools in Innisfail and Olds.
