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SWIS - Settlement Workers In School

The Vancouver Board of Education’s Settlement Workers in School (SWIS) Program is a school-based settlement service that provides direct and immediate professional assistance to immigrant, refugee and eligible temporary resident students and their families after their arrival in Vancouver and registration in the public schools. Settlement workers facilitate the adjustment, adaptation, and integration of newcomer families during their initial years in Canada.
 
SWIS PROGRAM GOALS

  1. To inform the clients (students, parents and families) about the various Canadian standards and practices and their rights and responsibilities.
  2. To enable the student and parents to reach their full potential so they can navigate effectively in the school system and community.
  3. To empower the immigrants to adjust better in Canada
  4. To promote SWIS roles and responsibilities to the general public
  5. To elevate the level of competence and bring about a systemic change in the program delivery
  6. To be recognized as a professional settlement service provider

 
SWIS PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

  1. To increase the client’s capability to adjust faster and better in a new environment through regular information, education and communication activities
  2. To execute model programs and approaches in settlement service that will empower the students and families to become self-reliant.
  3. To develop a ‘SWIS brand’ that is simple and easy to understand and remember.
  4. To maintain a positive SWIS image through continuous orientation and relationship-building in schools and communities.

Settlement Workers

Cecilia Tagle                      ctagle@vsb.bc.ca                           778-227-4581                     Spanish

Heivin Ahmad                   hahmad@vsb.bc.ca                       778-229-9521                     Arabic & Kurdish

Maria MacDonald            mmacdonald@vsb.bc.ca              778-772-2710                     Filipino 

Soheila Ansari                  sansari@vsb.bc.ca                         778-229-0234                     Farsi/Persian

Tuoi (Teresa) Nguyen     tnguyen@vsb.bc.ca                       778-231-2657                     Vietnamese

 

Youth Settlement Worker

Andara Ahmad                 aahmad@vsb.bc.ca                       604-379-3767                     Arabic

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