extra-curricular activities
Speech competition
In 2019, GCI hosted the first annual ESL/ELD Speech Competition! We competed against students from Eastwood and everyone loved the energy of all of our extremely talented students! Among our esteemed judges was Cambridge's mayor, Kathryn McGarry. In 2020, the competition is open to all four of the ESL/ELD magnet schools in the wrdsb at Eastwood. Last year, GCI had 4 winners out of the 6 and this year we had 3 winners from the 6 leveled categories. GCI rocks!
other extra-curricularsnewcomer youth dramaEach year, for the past 10 years, GCI has hosted ESL Drama Productions in partnership with the YMCA, Citizenship and Immigration and MT Space. Our ESL students are actively involved by telling their compelling stories of moving to Canada. Their productions are so good that they have been nominated twice for the Bernice Adams Award! We start creating the performance at the beginning of second semester and we perform in April. It's a great way to connect with others who have had similar experiences.
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community involvementAny chance we get, we connect our students with the greater community. The Drama Production has performed twice at Galt Little Theatre, at Lincoln Ave. school and also at the Cambridge Centre. One production was centred around their volunteer experiences with the Gleaners.
We connect with the Cambridge Libraries, the City of Cambridge, the Farmers Market, the Food Bank, and most of all with the YMCA. This year Ms. Vuong's class did the Amazing Race in downtown Galt. What a great way to get to know our city! Ms. Vuong also planned our end-of-year field trip where we split into three groups: Idea Exchange virtual reality experience, Play with Clay and Breakout Escapes. We have a great downtown core! |
awardsWe are so proud of our ESL students! They have won a multitude of awards at GCI and within the community. Most recently the ESL Art class won first prize for the Urban Forest Art Contest. Their collaborative art piece is now the front cover of Cambridge's Urban Forest plan, it was featured on the back cover of Cambridge Activities and the original is now housed at the front entrance of the WRDSB Board Office.
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Peer Leaders
ESL students who have been at GCI for at least one year can apply to be a Peer Leader. They get training through the YMCA and facilitate the Newcomer Orientation Week. They act as mentors for our newcomers throughout the year.
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Newcomer Luncheon
Newcomers are invited to gather in room 402 to eat their lunch with some of the Peer Leaders. They can connect socially in an environment that feels safe and nurturing as they make new friends.
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We are Galt Ghosts!