Syrian children happy to start first full year of school in Canada

The Almohammad children are happy to begoing to a regular school for the first time in three years.

The family fled war-torn Syriaand lived in a refugee camp in Jordan before arriving inMonctonat the end of January.

With school just into its second week, the children are adjusting to their new life.Anglophone East School District | Edith Cavell School

"I love it," said 17-year-oldWaed Almohammad, who started Grade 11 at MonctonHigh Schoolin September, along with her 16-year-oldsister Ahed.

Three younger children in the family all go to the EdithCavellSchool, which is among those that welcomed the most Syrian children in the past few months, taking in as many as29.

School principal Donna Arsenault said the school, which values multiculturalism,was less than 50 per cent capacity last year, so it happily welcomed Syrian refugees. The Anglophone East School District has allocated the school more resources to accommodate the newcomers.

"We now have a full-time tutor on staff," saidArsenault."We've also received a teacher who helps our classroom teachers plan and develop best practices in dealing with children who come with no language in English."

The Syrian children all receive two and a half hours of tutoring a week, mostly to work on their English skills.

The Almohammadssay it was hard at firstwith little to no English, but they're eager and learning fast.

"Now it's okay, no problem. I love it," said Waed.

'Moncton's done a wonderful job'

Despite someSyrian families wanting to leave the province, the Almohammadshave theirheart set on staying in Moncton.

Veronica Carpenter, a volunteer helper with the family, says Syrians in Moncton are very involved in the community, perhaps more than in other cities in New Brunswick.

"They feel very welcome here," said Carpenter."And the thing is, Moncton's done a wonderful job."

Out of 72 Syrian families that settled inMoncton in recent months, only one has left.

The Almohammadsare amongst those feeling the hospitality.

"Every time when we going shopping or to the garden, 'Welcome to Canada, welcome to Canada,' so cute. And always smile," said 14-year-old Alla Almohhamad.