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Oakville Beaver | Thursday, June 22, 2023 | 34 insidehalton.com EVERYTHING IN STOCK! BU OUTDOOR FURNITURE COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL OUTDOOR FURNITURE - PLANTERS - UMBRELLAS SHADE STRUCTURES - OUTDOOR HEATING TUUCI NARDI tT yuc! emu Lr SIULO BARBIERI Come in to our 12,000 sq. ft. Oakville showroom. SHOP NOW & SCHEDULE A QUICK DELIVERY VISIT THE OAKVILLE SHOW SPEAK TO A PATIO DESIGN CO SULTA 3270 South Service Road West, Oakville www.bumoutdoor.ca 1-855-337-2995 * 416-923-7283 NEWS GRADUATION COACH FOR BLACK STUDENTS: THEY OPEN UP TO ME TRUSTEES GOT UPDATE ON PROGRAM AT MAY 16 MEETING ROLAND CILLIERS rcilliers@metroland.com There's a new program for students reportedly get- ting a lot of support. At the May 16 meeting of the Halton Catholic Dis- trict School Board (HCDSB), trustees re- ceived an update on the Graduation Coach Pro- gram for Black Students. Launched in March of this year, the program aims to determine peter * Pro. viding culturally re: support to Black students will improve their well-be- ing and academic achieve- sha Newton-Wil- ims, HCDSB's first Grad- uation Coach for Black Stu- dents, said that despite her short time working at the BOXING WEEK BLOWOUT oe "Staff see them as students, | see them as children that are just wanting to be themselves.” ~ Akiesha Newton-Williams board she believes a lot has been achieved. "I see the students in a very different light than the rest of the staff do. Staff see them as students, I see them as children that are just wanting to be them- selves. They open up to me.I can tell you from the very first day I got there, a student just came in and just told me her life story," said Newton- SAMSUNG J TIME! EXCLUSIVE NCING OFFER LIMITED FINA UAL EMENTS UNTIL R SANSUN eas HSE Williams. “It really speaks tomy heart when I walk into aroomand students just see themselves and they're able to just be themselves and speak to me from a place of honesty." As coach, Newton-Wil- liams acts as a mentor, ad- vocate and adviser to Black students. She also facili- tates the regular Black Stu- dent Union meetings at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Secondary School. Through the program, Newton-Williams has host- ed a painting workshop with 21 students in atten- dance, regularly sees 30 to 40 students a day and plans to nea offering pro- ugh the summinet months. “Another part of my role is to offer a barrier-free af- finity space for students to authentically discuss is- sues and experiences with- out judgment," said New- ton-Williams. MONTHLY NTEREST* SAVING YOU MORE For more details shop instore or online at thebrick.com