Students in Toronto helping students in San Pedro

A Sister School Program

The Sister School Program empowers students to participate in a relationship building opportunity between Canada and Central America. Its goal is to create cross cultural relationships in order to help children develop an understanding of and respect for a culture different than their own and to give them a better understanding of the world in which they live.

It is our vision to increase global awareness, compassion, critical thinking, and grassroots activism. Through our program they are able to experience the life changing effect of personally giving to those less fortunate.

The program is designed so that students and teachers can take their relationship with their partner school in any direction they wish. The program encourages students to raise their own consciousnesses about different cultures and people through the exchange of ideas and information between them and their pen pals across the world. The program supports the Ontario Curriculum Expectations in the areas of Language Arts, Science and Technology, Social Studies and Media Literacy from Kindergarten to grade 12.

Getting Started

Decide on the number of students involved in the program. It can be as small as one class or as large as the whole school community. Browse the many informative links to decide if it will be one subject area or several. The program can be as much or as little as you are willing to take on.

Making Connections

Biographical letters are a good way to start. Attaching small photos to the letters works well. Mentioning wildlife, conservation, local wildlife and domestic pets is good. Please urge your students not to discuss TV, video, computer games, and other “first world” subjects. They can build relationships, write about their lives, and share stories with those around them about their new friends. Students can write about the differences and similarities as well.

Writing on one side of a page or sheet and drawing on the other makes an inexpensive, graphic and informative letter. You can include videos, pictures and letters to share your story about your school, community, and your lives.

Share your Story

We would love to hear about your recent fundraiser, an event you hosted and  your exciting interactions with your sister school. Share your story with us, and we will even feature it on our website.  Don’t forget the pictures!

Contact Us

If you are interested in forming a partnership with a school that provides services for disadvantaged children living in poverty, please contact Heather Zwicker at heather@directabundunce.com.