TDSB’s Welcoming Communities program, an initiative of TDSB’s Community Services Unit, recently celebrated the launch of “Things We Learned”, their third anthology of student poetry and artwork. Students featured in this collection are from Middle School and High Schools across the TDSB and this project is dedicated to showcasing the diversity, talent, and creative abilities of TDSB students who are new to Canada.
The anthology’s launch took place on November 21st at Marc Garneau CI and showcased student artwork and featured students reciting original poetry, together painting vivid stories of their experiences, journeys, and hopes. The evening was also an opportunity to create space for meaningful conversations between the student poets, artists, and community members.
“Things We Learned” is not just a celebration of artistic talent but also a testament to the resilience and creativity of TDSB's newest students. The Welcoming Communities Poetry Program is facilitated by Charlotte Safieh and Daria Lagutina Sariyildiz, and the poets in this special collection were selected from Poetry Programs throughout the last school year, where students participated in a series of poetry and art workshops that culminate in producing a class anthology.
TDSB is proud to share this continued initiative facilitated by the Welcoming Communities program as part of our commitment to highlighting the diverse voices within our schools and fostering an inclusive educational environment where every student's story is valued and celebrated. TDSB schools and staff may request copies of this book by contacting Fatma.Toufexief@tdsb.on.ca.
About Welcoming Communities: Welcoming Communities is a mentorship program committed to the seamless integration and well-being of newcomer students in TDSB schools. Newcomer Services - Welcoming Communities is operated by TDSB - Community Services and funded by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Below: The cover of “Things We Learned” and poem “Things I learned in the War” by 16 year old student Marya. Marya is from Syria and would like to become a social worker. She wrote about this topic to share her experience in how she lived and what she learned. Marya likes to write poems as they enable her to explain what she feels and wants to say in a new way.