International flags welcome diverse student body to Charlottetown school

The cafeteria at Queen Charlotte Intermediate School in Charlottetown has had a makeover its walls are now lined with large vibrant posters of flags from around the world.

With an ever-increasing diversity among students and staffthere are currently students from 66 different countries they say it's an effective way to send a messagethat everyone is welcome.

"It's really cool to like to be able to see your flag, and having people see their flag," said Jerome Chen,the student council co-president. Chenmoved to P.E.I. from Taiwan.

Antonio Moraru,born in Romania, is the other co-president. He said it's good to see the images offlags around the cafeteria.

"It's just incredible to see, people from all different cultures and backgrounds and we get to know them," Moraru said.

"We took a step and we're proud of the diversity."

'Feel more that they belong'

Some students new to P.E.I. saidit can be hard adjusting to life in a different country, and even just seeing that familiar flag from home can help.

"When I first came here, it was really hard cause I didn't know how to speak English, so it was hard to learn the language and try to fit in," saidAbdul Dabbit, who moved to P.E.I.from Syria when he was in elementary school.

Dabbitbelievesif someonenew arrives atthe school and sees their flag, it could make a difference.

"Anyone that comes here that's new, they can feel more that they belong here."

School connections cross borders

Queen Charlotte's principal, K.J. White, saidthe flagsrecognizeall students are equaland connected to each other through the school.

Hewants everyone to feel like they're part of theQueen Charlotte Coyotes, thename of the school's teams.

White said the flags have been a two-year project that was a bit delayed by the pandemic, so it feels good to see it completed.

"Here in our cafeteria is kind of the hub of the school," White said. "They come here every day and they feel they belong."

Some students were surprised to learn the school has people from so many different countries.

"It's really nice. Even if people aren't exactly who you are, nobody's the same right? We're all together no matter what," saidJuliette Bader, co-vice-president of the student council.

Fellow co-vice-president Anna Clarksaid the diverse school community deserves celebrating.

"I really think it exposes us in such a good way," she said."When we're older I think we'll all be just really accepting and more educated and open about all the different cultures."

Next, the schoolplansa largeposter at the school'smain entrancewhich will say "welcome" in more than 30 languages.It also recently held a diversity week with speakers and other activities to raise awareness.

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