New: Public Information Sessions for non-English speaking residents

New Westminster, BC – School District No. 40 (New Westminster) and the City of New Westminster have added an additional Public Information Session aimed at parents whose first language is not English. The session will take place on Tuesday, Sept 21 at 7 p.m. in the New Westminster Secondary School library.

“We want to hear from as many parents as possible about the proposed new schools and in particular about the Neighbourhoods of Learning (NoL) concept,” said Janet Grant, Director of Instruction, Student Services for School District No. 40 (New Westminster). “We know that many parents and people in the community have a first language other than English, and we don’t want this to be a barrier. There are some key questions we would like to ask these parents as we consult about the NoL initiative.”

In addition to the traditional funding from the Ministry of Education, the three new schools will be eligible to receive up to 15 per cent of additional funding for expanded space under the NoL model, a plan that combines school and community space to deliver a range of community services and programs to the families in the area.

“It is our goal to offer translated services in up to 10 different languages,” said John Stark, Senior Social Planner for City of New Westminster. “We are reaching out through the settlement workers who are based at the schools to let our immigrant parents know about this opportunity, and to hear directly from them.”

This session will be followed by two additional open houses which will provide information on a proposed solution for three new schools and a new state-of-the-art Massey Performing Arts Centre. These sessions provide an opportunity for the public to learn about the new school vision, and the programs and facilities proposed for each site. Translation services will also be available at these sessions.

When & where:
Translated Information Session
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
NWSS Library
835 Eighth Street

Open Houses:
Thursday, September 23, 2010
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
John Robson School Gym
120 Eighth Street

Saturday, September 25, 2010
3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
NWSS Library
835 Eighth Street

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For more information on the School’s capital projects, the Neighbourhoods of Learning or the plans for the new Massey Theatre, please visit us online at http://district.sd40.bc.ca/news/capital-projects

For more information contact:

Kim Van Bruggen
Communications Manager
School District No. 40
604-517-6336

Blair Fryer
Communications Manager
City of New Westminster
604-527-4688