Invitation to the Finnish Schools in North America
Kutsu Pohjois-Amerikan Suomi-kouluille
Welcome to Toronto on June 7-9, 2024!
The Toronto Finnish Language School is honoured to organize and host a conference and workshop for all the Finnish schools in North America for the first time here in Toronto.
Welcome to learn, discuss, share, and plant a seed for something new!
AN INSPIRATIONAL AND SOCIAL TRAINING WEEKEND FOR TEACHERS, BOARD MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS.
The event's theme is Towards a Better Finnish School - Searching For a Future Operating Model and Operational Keys for Developing Suomi-koulu as a School, Organization and Community. We bring together teachers, board members, and other community volunteers to gain new perspectives and concrete tools for developing their Finnish school and growing and sustaining its operations. We will meet old and new friends and build partnerships to last beyond the event.
Our lead coach for the event is Soile Pietikäinen, who joins us from London, UK. Soile has a rare combination of expertise in three areas that are important to us:
All things to do with Suomi-koulu.
How children become or do not become bilingual.
Empowering adults to develop organizations that optimize learning and community for all.
The different phases of the training:
Welcome and introductory webinar on May 18
7-9 June, a three-day training event in Toronto
Follow-up webinar in September
Location and time:
Friday, June 7: 3.30 - 8 pm at Agricola Lutheran Church, 25 Old York Mills Rd, North York, Toronto
Saturday, June 8: 10 am - 5 pm at Tartu College, 310 Bloor St W, Toronto. Evening get-together, details TBC.
Sunday, June 9: 10 am - 4 pm at Tartu College
Further information below. If you want to learn more, please contact Minna Temisevä at minna@suomikoulutoronto.org.
Toronton opetiimi toivottaa teidät tervetulleeksi!
Click the image and listen as Soile Pietikäinen discusses her research and raising bilingual children in different contexts.
Program, June 7-9
Program is designed for both administration and teaching staff of Finnish schools and volunteers working in other positions. We discuss and work together on big themes such as the operating environments of Finnish schools, the sustainability of operations, the quality of teaching and future prospects. The working methods are participatory, the content is full of inspiring insights that lead to fruitful discussions, and although challenges are widely discussed, the focus is on solutions.
The conference is a learning and change process. Therefore, it is essential the participants attend all three days. We learn how to look at our organization and set new operations goals. The detailed program will be available for the registrants.
Friday 7.6.
3.30 pm- 5.30 pm: Registration and workshop on bilingualism by Soile Pietikäinen
6 - 8 pm: Opening of the training days, various cultural and educational programs, and a joint dinner.
On the opening day, the main focus is the presentation of the local operating environment, getting to know each other and networking. We tune in to the themes of the weekend. A workshop for parents and teachers on bilingualism will form the basis for talking about the quality of language learning.
Saturday 8.6. & Sunday 9.6
Saturday workshops 10 am - 5 pm
Evening get-together, time and details TBC
Sunday workshops 10 am - 4 pm
Workshops are full days of learning, sharing, and working in groups. Discussions include who we are: a school, an association or a community? Who is our target group? Let's build a dream team! How can we ensure the right people have the right roles, and the know-how is in full use? We glimpse the future of Finnish schools: What kind of Finnish school would we dream of, and what obstacles do we see on the way? Teachers will have separate workshops on Kantele playing and about different approaches to drama and various drama tools. Administrative teams meet around fund-raising, economic sustainability and other jointly decided topics. Each participant and school team will return home with dream maps and strategic plans.
Registration & Fee
Click the link and register today!
The participant fee of CAD 50 includes the training event for the whole weekend of June 7-9., and the Welcome and Introduction webinar on May 11. Also, all food and snacks during the workshops and Saturday evening program, along with dinner, are included in the fee. Participants will also receive a conference package on arrival. Please note that the registration fee is nonrefundable.
If you have any questions, please email minna@suomikoulutoronto.org. If needed, we can also give guidance on funding conference travel expenses.
We look forward to seeing you in Toronto! Tervetuloa!
FAQ
Is the conference bilingual? Can team members who are not fluent in Finnish attend?
While we love and cherish the Finnish language, we want to be inclusive. Language choice depends on the participants, and as organizers, we are prepared to use Finnish and English as needed. Our school in Toronto is bilingual, and our official communication language is English. While teachers are fluent in Finnish, we have many second-generation Finns and spouses as volunteers and on the Board who find writing and reading Finnish challenging. We usually speak Finnish in the meetings, but help with English or Finglish. During the workshops, we intend to use Finnish as much as the group feels comfortable and move to English when needed.
Is there a limit for participants per school?
We do not have a limit for attendees per school. We encourage more than one person to attend, as it enhances the team spirit, discussions, and learning of each team and makes implementing possible changes in our schools easier.
We have received significant interest in the conference, so we will monitor the numbers and inform you if the event becomes sold out. Please register as soon as possible. Registration will close at the end of April.
Do you have another question? Please email us, and we will be happy to help you!