604 952 5366 Study@GoDelta.ca

Delta's Director of International Programs

Ms. Karen Symonds

Director of International Education - Admissions, Custodian, Operations

Email: KSymonds@GoDelta.ca

Cell: 604 396 6862 | Tel: 604 952 5372

 
The year certainly is flying by!  We have seen our first semester students leave, with hopefully wonderful memories they will cherish for a lifetime, and a new set of second semester students arrive, full of nerves and excitement for the adventures to come.  Our Graduating Grade 12s are busily finalizing post-secondary plans, and all of our returning students are already engaged in the process of picking their courses for next year.
 
The 2019-2020 school year has brought us many triumphs.  We have seen a record number of International Students try out for and make school teams.  Seven members of the South Delta Senior Boys soccer team who qualified for the Provincial Championships were International Students.  International students playing volleyball, basketball, field hockey, football and swimming have also made Provincial Championships.  We have students playing key roles on and off the stage in Theatrical Performances and student travelling to Hawaii with music programs to compete and perform.  International Students at several schools are making their voices heard on a District level as part of the Delta Youth Advisory Council – with two schools making the integration and connection of International Students with Canadian Students a key goal for the year.  One of our students won a BCCIE essay contest, writing about her struggles with, and victory over, homesickness. In March, we will embark on our first overnight activity – a trip to Banff and Lake Louise to see the beautiful Rocky Mountains.  It has been a great year so far …
 
That being said, we are certainly saddened by some of the current challenges being faced by our global community.  Increasingly, countries around the world are being impacted by COVID-19 and we are watching the situation develop carefully out of concern for our current and future students and their families, as well as concerns for the health and safety of our homestay families, school staff and greater community.
 
Currently, we are encouraging good hygiene and preventative actions as follows –
• Frequent and thorough hand washing and use of hand sanitizer
• Proper sneezing and coughing etiquette (covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing)
• Discouraging food and cutlery sharing
• Having students monitor their health and symptoms, and not attending school and seeking medical advice when ill
 
We are also strongly and firmly recommending that students from China NOT return home at Spring Break.  Parents of students from other countries are also encouraged to seriously consider whether a Spring Break trip home is in the best interest of their child or indeed putting them at additional risk.  
 
We are very fortunate that the risk of spread of COVID-19 here in Canada continues to remain low.  I know that many agents, parents and students have questions about summer programs and even programs for next year.  Right now, things are changing rapidly and we have not made any firm decisions about future action. We are taking our lead from the health authorities as well as Government of Canada travel advisories, and we will keep our families and partners aware of our decisions as time continues.
 
Until next time … stay healthy!

 

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Delta School District International Program

  • Tel: 604 952 5366
  • Study@GoDelta.ca
  • Fax: 604 952 5383
  • 4585 Harvest Drive
  • Delta, BC, Canada, V4K 5B4

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