On the occasion of the 13the During the 2023 edition of National Francophone Immigration Week, which took place from November 2 to 8, the Conseil scolaire de district catholique des Aurores boréales (CSDCAB) emphasized that cultural and Francophone diversity is a true strength, enriching the life and mission of its school community.
Within the CSDCAB, approximately 15% of staff are immigrants. Students, families, and staff members come from many different countries: this diversity enriches everyday school life and promotes inclusive education rooted in faith, culture, and student success.
Under the theme «Thank you for enriching our Francophonie,» several activities were organized to celebrate and thank immigrants for their contributions to the Council, including:
The wall of gratitude : a space to leave messages of thanks to colleagues from immigrant backgrounds.
The schools also expressed their gratitude in their own way.
Darlene, youth representative at Club culturel francophone de Thunder Bay, and Anaïs, both students of La Vérendrye CSE, participated in a multicultural evening organized by AFNOO and its partners as volunteers.
The school's students also discovered many cultural references related to immigration during their daily «culture break.».
The school Notre-Dame-de-Fatima in Longlac presented the cultural backgrounds of several students thanks to a magnificent panel created by the 2nd grade classese and 3e year.
The students also discovered Lebanon, their teacher's country of origin, Mrs. Rita while tasting hummus and Lebanese bread, listening and dancing to Lebanese music.
Students fromNotre-Dame-des-Écoles School in Nakina had the opportunity to interview Ms. Ruth Boza, teacher at St. Joseph School and author. They compared life in Ivory Coast and at Canada, a very enriching exchange.
À Franco-Terrace School in Terrace on Cameroon was in the spotlight! Noah, 2nd-year studente year, proudly presented his home country to his classmates in 2e, 3e and 4e years talking to them about school in Cameroon and traditional dances. He even sang the national anthem with great feeling!
Mr. Daniel, who arrived from Cameroon with his family last November, gave a wonderful presentation about his home country to staff and students. Did you know that the lion, an important symbol of Cameroon, represents the strength and pride of the people, and that 80% of Cameroonians speak French?
Kindergarten, preschool, and first-grade students read the book. Small steps, then reflected on their own first steps as well as those of the people accompanying them.
Each person created a footprint to express gratitude to someone special who helps them move forward.
Finally, Council staff members posed with the flag of their country of origin, and members of the head office shared a convivial moment where everyone was invited to share a typical dish from their country at a potluck.
This special Francophone Immigration Week allowed us to celebrate our diversity and share moments of gratitude and pride.
Thanks to the contribution of immigrants, our French-speaking school community is renewing itself and flourishing in all its diversity. I would like to express my deep gratitude to those who have chosen to cross continents and oceans to join our schools throughout northwestern Ontario, said Mireille Major-Levesque, the board's director of education.
