A Colombian student attended school in the Avon Maitland District recently.
Bullet News SEAFORTH – Eighty-seven students from countries around the world have taken lessons with students in Avon Maitland schools since it launched an international program.
In the 2011-12 school year, it welcomed 20 students, who stayed for the full year or a single semester. This school year, 67 students who ranged in age from nine to 18 have come from abroad to fill seats in classrooms for short- and long-term stays. They come from Spain, Brazil, Colombia, France, Germany, Hong Kong-China, and Thailand and are hosted by local families.
“It’s an exciting time and it forges great relationships. Even though it may be for a short period of time, you develop long-lasting, life-time friendships,” Steve Howe, who is communications director, told trustees of the Avon Maitland District School Board at its meeting last night.
The program creates more diverse populations in the schools, generates additional revenue and lessens the impact of declining enrolment.
When the board set its budget in June, it anticipated an overall 2.53 per cent decline in enrolment in this school year to 15,194 students, down almost 400 students from the 2011-2012 year based on average daily enrolment. Ministry grants and allocations, which are tied to enrolment, were anticipated to drop $4.7 million to $189 million in this school year. The decline resulted in 48 fewer staff including teachers, educational assistants, trainers and other administration.
