Number of Syrian refugee students in P.E.I. schools reaches 69

Since January, 69new Syrian refugee students have entered the Island school system.

Most are in Charlottetown schools. St.Jean Elementary has the biggest group, with 19 Syrian refugee children enrolled.There are also sixnow in the Summerside area.

Before long we are seeing that the kids really are starting to show us what they are able to do. Janet Perry-Payne, EAL administrator

The program administrator for English as an additional language, Janet Perry-Payne, saidmany of the students are just beginning to learn English, and this process takes time, but they are adjusting well.

She notedit's also an adjustment for the teachers who want to do their best for the students.

'Not expected to do the impossible'

"They are not expected to do the impossible right now," said Perry-Payne.

"If a child comes in and has never been in school before and they are sitting in your Grade 5classroom, they may not be able to do all of what you are doing in that curriculum right now. And it's not as important to think that they have to do all of that."

"Instead we work with the teachers to help the children build their vocabulary so that they are starting to understand what is happening in the classroom. And then before long we are seeing that the kids really are starting to show us what they are able to do."

In partnership with other government departments, education officials said they'vebeen able to add some additional support to help with language acquisition and adjustment.

An additional EAL itinerant is in place, along with a youth service worker.