71 # R I S I N G Y O U T H C O M M U N I T Y I M P A C T V O L . 2
T
he student population at Erica
Burke's high school in Cornwall,
Prince Edward Island, has
become increasingly diverse over the
last few years. "We now have people
from 35 countries speaking 21 different
languages represented within our
school community," Erica shares.
"Students from our school would like to
promote and support this multicultural
community by making welcome signs in
these different languages to hang in the
lobby of our school."
Knowing how their school served as
an anchor in their community, Erica and
her classmates wanted to make it as
inclusive as possible for everyone. They
created signs with welcoming messages
in 21 different languages that now hang
in their school lobby for all to see.
"Our project aimed to make those
of our community who may not speak
English feel more included in our school,"
explains Erica. "Previously, the only
signage in our school was solely in
English; not even French! We felt that
a sign with translations of the word
'welcome' would make our school feel,
well, more welcoming!"
Cultivating
Inclusivity
Through
Language
Erica Burke
Our project aimed
to make those of our
community who may
not speak English
feel more included
in our school...
