For most Grade 9 students, Take Our Kids to Work Day means tagging along with a parent or family friend at their job. For teenagers who have only recently arrived in Canada, those connections often don't exist yet.
Two teachers at Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School made sure their multilingual learners didn't miss out. According to the Ottawa Catholic School Board, ESL teachers Melanie Doucette and Alyssa Kitchen-Blier organized an alternative to the annual job-shadowing tradition, partnering with the Newcomer Youth Leadership Development team at the YMCA Taggart Community Centre.
Students from St. Matthew High School were also invited, giving more newcomers a chance to take part.
A day of hands-on discovery
The YMCA hosted a full day of hands-on activities, the board said, with interactive stations where students could ask questions, try new skills and learn about careers and skilled trades they might not otherwise have considered.
The host organization went beyond the programming itself. Students received transportation to the centre, lunch, gift bags containing earphones, soccer balls, completion certificates and Career Pathway Passports — tools designed to help them keep exploring their interests after the day was over.
They also heard from Manock Lual of Prezdential Basketball, who encouraged the students to believe in themselves and think seriously about their futures.
More than a career day
For students still adjusting to life in a new country, the board said, the day was about more than sampling job options. It was a chance to meet new people, discover what they enjoy and feel like they belong in their new community.
Starting school in a new country involves far more than learning English, the board noted. It also means finding your place and learning what opportunities are open to you.
The board connected the initiative to this year's Ottawa Catholic School Board spiritual theme, Nourish New Beginnings, which emphasizes helping students feel welcome and supported. At Lester B. Pearson, that meant ensuring every student could experience a Grade 9 tradition that many of their peers take for granted.
The board credited the YMCA Taggart Community Centre, its Newcomer Youth Leadership Development team, and teachers Doucette and Kitchen-Blier for making the day happen.
