September 13, 2017

Dear Families,

I would like to personally invite you to join me in making a difference in the lives of the children at Ashton Meadows Public School by supporting us in the upcoming Indigo Adopt a School program.

We’re thrilled to announce that our school has been adopted by Chapters First Markham Place (3175 Hwy 7)! From September 16 to October 8, this store is going to fundraise on our behalf. On Wednesday, October 4, from 4 pm - 6:30 pm you are invited to join our staff and students as they host a fundraising evening with student-led activities at Chapters Markham. We’re also going to be raising funds to support our library through our Adopt a School online fundraising platform, which you can find at https://adoptaschool.indigo.ca/eng/schools/1817.

There are three ways that our community can support our school online at https://adoptaschool.indigo.ca/eng/schools/1817.

1. Book Bonus: For every two books you donate to our school online, the Love of Reading Foundation will donate a bonus book, up to 100 books!*

2. Tell a Story, Give a Story. Every time you post a story to our Adopt a School profile, the Love of Reading Foundation will donate one book in support of our school library, up to 20 books!

3. Adopt a School Story Contest: “Heart” your favorite story to help a school for a chance to win* big! The five most-loved stories in each province will be entered into a random draw for a chance to win a $2,500 Indigo eGiftcard to purchase books for their adopted school. The remaining four top “hearted” schools in each province will win a $500 Indigo eGiftcard to purchase books! Choose wisely because you only get one shot to “Heart” a story!

* The Love of Reading Foundation values a book at $10. To learn more, see our Program Overview and Contest Details pages.

Our school is going to receive every dollar raised to support our library and a 30% discount off books when we shop at Indigo, Chapters and Coles using program donations. Through the Adopt a School program, we are hoping raise enough money to put one new book into the hands of each and every one of our students!

Please visit adoptaschool.indigo.ca from September 16 to October 8 to show your support for our library! I look forward to surprising the staff and children at Ashton Meadows Public School with all the new library books this year!

Sincerely, Calvin Darby, Principal

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C E Y L C PARENT ENGAGEMENT AND NETWORK (PEN)

Youth Community Fair 第一届新移民青少年社区展览会

What do I have to know about the Ontario education system? 我对安省教育制度知多少？

I want to improve my English. Is there a program that can help me? 如何能够提高个人的英文水平？

I need volunteer hours but don’t know what opportunities are available. 志愿工作哪里寻

I feel lonely in Canada. How can I make more friends? 我如何交到更多的朋友？

Come and Connect with us! 请来参加!

Date: Saturday September 16, 2017 日期: 9月16日 (星期六)

Time: 10am to 2pm 时间: 早上10时至下午2时

Location: North Toronto Chinese Alliance Church (11221 Bayview Ave) 多伦多城北华人宣道会 (湾景路11221号)

Programs: 活动内容:

Understanding the Ontario Education System (in Mandarin) 安省的教育系统面面观 （普通话) 10:30am – 12:30pm (Space is limited. Registration is required)

早上10时半到下午12时半（由于名额有限, 有意参加者请尽早报名)

Community Booths (10am – 2pm) 社区展板 (上午10时至下午2时) Big Brothers Big Sisters, Catholic Community Services of York Region, Centre for Information & Community Services, Hong Fook Mental Health Association, Richmond Hill Public Library, York Regional Police

Upcoming workshops: 未来讲座:

September 23 (10am-Noon) Stress Management 9月23日 (早上10时至中午) 压力管理

September 30 (10am-Noon) Community Safety & Human Rights 9月30 日 (早上10时至中午) 社区安全和人权

October 6 (Evening) Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration 10月6日(晚上)加国团圆庆中秋

For information and registration, please contact: 报名及查询, 请联络: Cathy Ng [email protected] or Eileen Wan on 416.627.7563

This program is organized and funded by: 活动主办单位及资助者:

BUILD A FREE CLASSES • English as a Second Language/LINC BETTER FUTURE! • Academic Upgrading and Computer Skills • Citizenship and IELTS Preparation Call 905-731-9557 to book an appointment www.yrdsb.ca @YRDSB YRDSBMedia

Immigration, Refugees Immigration, Réfugiés and Citizenship Canada et Citoyenneté Canada BUILD A BETTER FUTURE! FREE CLASSES FOR ADULTS

- English as a Second Language (ESL) - Language Instruction for Newcomers (LINC)

- Academic Upgrading and Computer Skills

- Citizenship and IELTS Preparation Have a question? We are just one phone call away! 905-731-9557 www.yrdsb.ca REGISTRATION IS ONGOING Please call 905-731-9557 or email [email protected] for more information.

ESL Course Descriptions Page 2 LINC Course Descriptions Page 4 Employment and Academic Page 4 Preparation Course Descriptions Course Locations and Schedule Page 5

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS York Region District School Board would like to acknowledge and thank our community partners for their ongoing support and contribution to the success of our language and skills training programs. We value and cherish your dedication to the needs of our community!

Immigration, Refugees Immigration, Réfugiés and Citizenship Canada et Citoyenneté Canada

1 ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) EVERYDAY ENGLISH

Courses are available from ESL Literacy to CLB 10 Develop effective language skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing for daily life in Canada. Varied course offerings based on learner’s current CLB’s. SKILL-BASED COURSES

Courses are available from CLB 3 to 10 Single level courses based on learner’s current CLB’s in Speaking & Writing. This course is divided into two parts: Listening/Speaking & Reading/Writing. Listening & Speaking Focus on listening and speaking to develop effective communication skills for daily life, employment, and academic study. Reading & Writing Focus on reading and writing to develop effective communication skills for daily life, employment, and academic study. SPECIALIZED COURSES

Varied course offerings based on learner’s academic and professional needs and areas of interest. Conversation Courses are available from CLB 1 to 10 Focus on listening and speaking to develop and enhance effective conversation strategies for success in Canadian society, education system, and workplace. Whether interviewing for a job, speaking to your child’s teacher, or speaking to any other professional, this course will enable you to communicate with more confidence and clarity of speech. Varied course offerings based on learner’s current CLB’s. Pronunciation Courses are available from CLB 2 to 8 Learn to speak English with confidence and clarity by learning to form the sounds, use the natural rhythm and correct stress of the English language. Varied course offerings based on learner’s current CLB’s. 2 SPECIALIZED COURSES

Citizenship Minimum requirement of CLB 3 in Speaking This course will develop effective language skills in preparing learners to take the Canadian Citizenship test through a focus on specific vocabulary and necessary concepts. Workplace Preparation Minimum requirement of CLB 5 Develop effective speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills for success in Canadian workplaces. This course addresses original Resume and Cover Letter writing, successful interview and presentation skills, Health and Safety training, and computer skills for employment. Entrepreneurial World Of Business CLB 6-9 Develop effective speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills for success in the real world of business. This course addresses the language and concepts of good hiring practices, managing people effectively, team work, and starting your own business in Canada. Professional Business English CLB 6-9 Develop effective speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills for success in the professional world of business in Canada including workplace related communication and computer skills. Reading & Writing through Novel Studies CLB 6 - 10 Enhance reading and writing skills and develop effective academic strategies through the study of novels. IELTS Preparation Minimum requirement of CLB 5 VISITING Take this course to become familiar with the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam format, acquire effective test-taking strategies, and expand CANADA? your academic vocabulary and communication skills. TAKE ONE OF Culturally Specific Language Circles OUR COURSES! Work with others from the same background to improve conversation and Must be 18 years of age. pronunciation skills while networking and building relationships in your community. Call to register! Language Classes For Seniors Work with others from your community to develop effective communication 905-731-9557 and language skills and become more independent in daily life.

3 LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION FOR NEWCOMERS TO CANADA (LINC) CLB 2 to 5 Develop effective communication skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing for successful integration in Canadian society, workplace, and academic study. Enhance language skills for Citizenship and employment preparation. Build important computer skills for life in Canada. EMPLOYMENT AND ACADEMIC PREPARATION Basic Computer Skills Develop basic computer skills (Microsoft Office, E-mail, Internet) for success in Canadian workplaces and post-secondary education. Whether looking to upgrade your employability skills, prepare for college, or use computers in daily life, this course will build your confidence and abilities while working at your own pace. Computer Skills Upgrading Develop practical computer skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, E-mail, Internet, Google) for success in Canadian workplace and post-secondary education. Work at your own pace to advance your computer skills for employment, college preparation, or use in daily life. Employment and Academic Skills Upgrading Upgrade your reading, writing, math, computer and/or soft skills in order to pursue a degree or career. Whether preparing for Adult Credit School, Apprenticeship or College, returning to work or education, this course will provide individualized instruction at your own pace. GED Preparation

Get individualized support and instruction while preparing for your GED. All subjects are offered. Literacy and Computer Skills for Adults with Special Needs

Through individualized instruction and support, adults with varying levels of abilities build and enhance their employability and life skills for success and independence at their own pace.

4 COURSE LOCATIONS AND TIMES

MAPLE & VAUGHAN Morning Afternoon Evening Saturday CITIZENSHIP Ahmadiyya Mosque √ Markham Chinese √ Al Palladini Community Centre √ Baptist Church Richmond Hill Chinese Discovery Public School √ √ Dufferin Clark Library √ Baptist Church Uplands Community Maple Library √ √ Learning Centre Maple High School √ COMPUTER TRAINING, GED PREP, √ North Thornhill Community Centre SKILLS UPGRADING/LBS Pierre Berton Resource Library √ York Works - Stouffville √ √ St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church √ Uplands Community √ √ √ Woodbridge College √ Learning Centre Woodbridge Library √ Participation House √ √ Woodbridge Lions Club √ LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION FOR Woodbridge Public School √ √ NEWCOMERS (LINC) MARKHAM & UNIONVILLE Uplands Community √ Angus Glen Library √ √ Learning Centre Aldergrove Public School √ Armadale Public School √ Bridle Trail Baptist Church √ √ Click the table for Ellen Fairclough Public School √ Markham Chinese Cultural Centre of FCCM √ √ specific location Markham Chinese Baptist Church √ √ Markham South Welcome Centre √ √ √ information and Milliken Gospel Church √ √ directions. Milliken Mills Library √ Parkland Public School √ Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School √ Social Services Network √ Unionville Alliance Church √ √ Unionville High School √ AURORA & NEWMARKET Alexander Muir Public School √ Aurora High School √ √ Bethel Church √ RICHMOND HILL Bayview Hill Community Centre √ √ Bayview Secondary School √ √ Richmond Hill United Church √ √ Richmond Hill Chinese Baptist Church √ √ Richmond Hill Christian Community Church √ √ Rouge Woods Community Centre √ √ STOUFFVILLE Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum and Community √ Centre EastRidge Evangelical Missionary Church √ √ THORNHILL Bathurst Clark Resource Library √ √ Thornhill Baptist Church √ Thornhill Community Library √ √ Uplands Community Learning Centre √ √ √ UPGRADE YOUR SKILLS AND BUILD A BETTER FUTURE! Are you... • 19+ and a resident of Ontario? • Working on upgrading your resume? • In need of high school credits or a GED? • Applying for an apprenticeship or second career? • Looking for computer skills for office administration? • Working on your soft-skills? Take a free class! Improve your computer skills and prepare for work or school!

Questions? Ready to register? Courses and locations are always being added!

Call 905-731-9557 today to learn more.

www.yrdsb.ca @YRDSB YRDSBMedia