Newcomer Family Resources

Starting Fresh, Facing Barriers

For newcomer families, schools are often the first point of contact with Canadian society. They can be both a place of opportunity and a source of stress—where language, cultural differences, and unfamiliar systems create barriers for children and parents alike.

Common Challenges

• Language and literacy: Parents may struggle to communicate with teachers or understand reports and notices.
• System navigation: Registration, transportation, and school policies can feel overwhelming.
• Cultural adjustment: Differences in teaching styles, discipline, or parent–teacher expectations may create confusion.
• Isolation: Families without established networks may lack guidance or peer support.
• Access to resources: Not every family knows about settlement workers, translation services, or after-school programs.

Why This Matters

When schools provide the right supports, newcomer students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. Equally important, their parents gain the confidence to engage with the education system—and by extension, with their new communities.

Questions for Discussion

• What resources (interpreters, cultural liaisons, settlement workers) are most effective in bridging the gap?
• How can schools ensure newcomer families feel welcomed, not “othered”?
• Should newcomer family supports be embedded into every school, or offered through centralized hubs?
• What role can community groups and parent councils play in making sure no family falls through the cracks?