By Sheldon Spackman

St. Pat’s students celebrate ‘First Christmas in Canada’

Dec 13, 2018 | 12:32 PM

Students at Red Deer’s St. Patrick’s Community School who are new to the country this year had a chance to celebrate their ‘First Christmas in Canada’ on Thursday.

The annual event attended by middle school and elementary-aged students this year had them working on crafts, playing games, having lunch together and taking a picture with Santa before taking home a festive goodie bag in the spirit of the season.

St. Pat’s educational assistant Cheryl Nichols says it’s all about making the newcomers feel welcome.

“It’s also to help them adapt with missing family,” she explains. “We’re just going to get to know them a little better and they can chat with each other and help each other out. Most of their families are back in the Philippines or wherever they come from, so they’re missing their family members and it’s a good time for us to connect with them and spread a little bit of Christmas cheer.”

Nichols admits many of their new Canadian students arrive here without knowing what to expect.

charges pending

Red Deer RCMP arrest two individuals following ramming of police vehicle

4h ago

Riverside Drive & southbound 67 Street

Red Deer temporary road closure of street ramp on Saturday

5h ago

breach

Town of Ponoka gives cybersecurity update: investigation ongoing

5h ago

“Most of these students have seen snow for the first time this year, so they really have no idea what happens in Canada at Christmas,” says Nichols. “I hope they know that we care about them and we hope that this just brings a little bit of cheer and a little bit of happiness that they can take home if they’re feeling lonely because their family is far away from them.”

Gloricel Cayago, Settlement Practitioner in Schools for Central Alberta Refugee Effort (CARE), says the event is helpful for those who take part.

“I think the most important thing here is they kind of know more of how to socialize with other kids,” she explains. “I hope they just take away some fun and experience and meet some new friends. We also attend this event just to introduce the students to our programs at Central Alberta Refugee Effort which has a free skating program for newcomers and also we have Snap (Immigrant Youth Program) for middle school kids which introduces different cultures to kids at St. Patrick’s.”

Thursday’s ‘First Christmas in Canada’ at St. Pat’s saw 31 students take part.