A new New Westminster play centre for kids with autism is looking for “expert players” – typically developing children aged three through 14, with good social, communication and peer play skills.
The Friend2Friend Social Learning Society is a non-profit charity that has brought kids with autism and other special needs together with their typically developing peers at an East Vancouver play centre since 2012.
The group’s new centre in New West opens Sept. 26 and expert players, who attend the programs for free, are needed.
The programs are designed around the unique needs and abilities of so-called novice players, but organizers say research shows expert players benefit as well, with enhanced social, communication, leadership and empathy skills.
To register online, go to http://tinyurl.com/friend2friend.
For more information, email [email protected].
Newcomer school info sessions
Newcomers to Canada are invited to a pair of free school orientation sessions being hosted by the New Westminster school district this week.
Settlement workers in schools (SWIS) will be on hand to prepare new families for the school year.
Besides giving newcomers a chance to meet other new families, each session includes a tour of the school and information on topics like English language learning classes, graduation requirements, expectations of students, parent advisory councils, tips on how to communicate with schools and ways parents can get involved in their children’s education.
New Westminster Secondary hosts the first session Sept. 3 from 9 to 11 a.m., and Qayqayt Elementary School runs a second session on Sept. 4 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Registration is required. For the NWSS session, call Simrin at 604-364-6811.
For the Qayqayt orientation, call Yumi at 604-345-7737.
