Settlement Workers In Schools (SWIS)
SWIS is a school-based outreach program that supports newcomer students and families in School District #73 (SD73) schools.
About SWIS:
The SWIS Worker provides School Orientation to newcomer parents and students and assists teachers and support staff in working with newcomer families. This includes providing information and referrals to community and school resources, including recreation.
Through personalized support, the SWIS works closely with students and teachers to create a welcoming atmosphere that values cultural diversity and self-actualization for each newcomer student while fostering a sense of belonging.
SWIS hosts group activities, workshops, and camps for school-aged children and youth outside of school to enhance their experiences while they transition into the Canadian school system.
Services For Parents and Guardians:
The Settlement Worker in Schools (SWIS) program is for newcomer school-age students attending School District 73.
Schools of Choice and Catchment Schools
The District recognizes that a school-age resident of British Columbia.
DOCUMENTS FOR SCHOOL REGISTRATION
Know the documents to include in the school registration.
Mentoring Empowerment and Tutoring (MET) Program
The MET program provides newcomer school-age students with mentoring and tutoring support.
Tutoring Session
Newcomer school-age students can access individual and group tutoring sessions to help them stay on par with their peers in a new school system.
mentoring sessions
The mentoring sessions expose newcomer school-age students to practical life skills and various social-emotional learning strategies to support their transition into a new community.
registration
The MET program is for school-age students participating in the Settlement Worker in Schools (SWIS) Program. If you have not been registered for the SWIS program, please complete the following intake form:
In order to access the MET program, students will have to be registered with the Settlement Worker in Schools Program. Please ensure that you have completed an intake form with the Settlement Worker in Schools Program before registering for the agency’s MET program.
Resources for Teachers and School Support Staff
- Who is a SWIS worker?
Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) provide settlement services to the immigrant families and students in SD 73 schools. The goal of the program is to support positive settlement for newcomer families and foster student integration into schools and achievement. This includes providing needed information and referrals to resources in the community and school.
The SWIS Worker provides school orientation to newcomer parents and students as well as
assisting the schools in working with the newcomer population.
SWIS Worker’s Core Activities:
- Outreach to newly arrived families registering in school
- Settlement support for students, parents and families, including needs assessment and settlement action plan.
- Promoting cross-cultural understanding and facilitating communication
- Bridging with service providers and community activities
- When do I involve a SWIS worker?
The best time to involve a SWIS worker is when a new immigrant family comes in to register their child with your school. At this point the referral form can be filled out and sent to your community SWIS worker, as well as arrangements made for the worker to come in and meet with the family at your school. After this initial meeting, the SWIS worker will schedule any further follow-up appointments if need be.
Schools may also choose to invite SWIS workers to staff meetings. This allows the opportunity for your SWIS worker to personally introduce themselves and familiarize the school with the intake process and services.
- What kind of ongoing support do SWIS workers offer students following their orientation?
SWIS workers can help schools and teachers with cultural interpretations, support and referrals and working to liaison between the family and school if re-settlement issues arise.
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- Are there age restrictions on students that can be referred to the program?
Students from kindergarten to grade 12 and their families can be referred to our program.
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- Are private and catholic schools eligible for SWIS services?
Kamloops Immigrant Services are available to all immigrants and can be accessed for support by appointment.
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- What information do you need from us to register the student with your program?
Please fill out all the information on the referral form. Upon the first meeting, we will require the parents to bring their Permanent Resident cards (or Confirmation of Permanent Residence/landing papers) as well as their child’s. After this, a file will be opened for the family.
Tutoring Referral Form
Tutoring Registration From
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Learning English is very important for the Newcomer family.
See how we encourage home language maintenance.
The Trauma Toolkit, by Klinic Community Health Centre
