GPPSD Education Foundation (photo courtesy of the Grande Prairie Public School Division)

By Liam Verster

Enhanced education grants

$62,650 in grants support enhanced education initiatives at local schools

Jan 14, 2020 | 5:00 AM

The Grande Prairie Public School Division Education Foundation has provided $62,650 in grants to support 26 initiatives at 14 local schools.

The funding is being divided amongst public schools in Grande Prairie that put in funding requests with the Education Foundation between September and November last year. Those requests were looked over thoroughly by the Foundation’s Board of Directors, who then decided which initiatives were deserving of partial or full funding.

The final decisions were made in December 2019, and distributed to the selected schools just before the Christmas Break.

Executive Director of the Education Foundation, Laura LaValley, says the money came from a variety of fundraisers the Foundation held over the year.

“So, we have several different things we do to raise money, but the main one is our brand new fundraiser that we held back in November, the Strut & Strive Fashion Show for Education. We had a volunteer committee approach us and sort of take the reigns at leading a great event for us.”

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“We were able to raise $37,000, and because of that, we were able to double the amount that we’ve given to schools in the past. So we were able to fill a lot more need.”

The Education Foundation is looking at improving upon their fundraisers this year. The 2020 Strut & Strive Fashion Show for Education is already slated for November 5, 2020. They also have several partnerships that help raise the funds. The Foundation works with Rotary in the Cash and Camping lottery, they partner with Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis to raise money through casinos, and this year they have a WestJet raffle that’s running January through April 1.

LaValley adds their grants are for things that schools want, and while the 2019 Provincial Budget has created some challenges to school funding across the province, it’s not part of the Education Foundation’s mandate to support the needs, they just cover education enhancements.

“So, we’ve never been tasked with helping to cover some of the basic needs. We’ve been always wanting to support things in the classroom that gave our Division students sort of an enhanced experience with their education. So, that focus for us really hasn’t changed.”

The initiatives supported by grants this year include:

• Alexander Forbes School – Seven Sacred Teachings – $4,750
• Aspen Grove School – Health & Wellness Events – $2,500
• Avondale School – Literacy enhancement materials, occupational therapy tool kit, and whiteboards – $3,000
• Charles Spencer High School – Mental Health Mondays, Maverick radio station hardware, High School First Responders Program and Skills Competition – $6,400
• Crystal Park School – Alternative and flexible seating – $5,000
• Derek Taylor Public School – Gymnasium sound system – $1,700
• Ecole Montrose – Robotics and coding kit, mental health programming – $3,400
• Grande Prairie Composite High School – High School First Responder Program – $4,250
• GPPSD Music Department – New musical instruments – $6,000
• Hillside Community School – iPads – $5,200
• IV Macklin Public School – Coding learning materials – $2,450
• Maude Clifford Public School – Ringette equipment, frisbees, and calming room equipment – $3,200
• Parkside Montessori – Entrepreneurial showcase and musical instruments – $2,450
• Roy Bickell Public School – Technology upgrades – $10,000
• Swanavon School – multi-sensory environment equipment and levelled reading sets – $2,350

LaValley says while she doesn’t like to pick favorites, as the initiatives are all worthwhile causes, there are a few standouts this year.

“I really appreciate the musical instrument contribution, as well as I’m very excited to see what’s going to happen with Parkside Montessori’s Entrepreneurial Showcase. They’re looking at doing something similar to Dragon’s Den, and call it Park’s Den. So, they’re looking to encourage students to have that entrepreneurial spirit, so it’s pretty interesting to see how that plays out.”

She goes on to say “I think it’s really exciting to see some of the applications come in for the robotics and coding kits. I think that’s the way of the future, and there’s a lot of jobs coming up in this day and age that are kind of related to those concepts. I think it’s really exciting that the Education Foundation gets to help put some of those resources into the schools so that kids are having these experiences at a young age, and maybe it’s fueling a desire to head down those career paths. So, that’s pretty exciting.

“Also, always very excited when we can help fund any athletic equipment. We know that those aren’t just equipment that’s just ready and waiting at every school. So, any time we can sort of enhance those programs, that’s another great thing.

“We’re also very happy to help with any equipment for special needs students, even our alternative and flexible seating. That’s always something we want to support, all sorts of students and whatever their needs may be.

“We’re also excited to be funding a radio system at the Charles Spencer High School, they have a radio station and we help them with their hardware.”

She says these projects are very interesting initiatives, and shows that local teachers are thinking outside the box and promoting programs and ideas that aren’t just the regular day to day activities.

The Education Foundation will start accepting applications for grants between September and November 2020 for the next funding distribution. LaValley says that will allow teachers to get settled in at school, and determine what kind of programs they don’t have funding for, but want to run, that would help enhance the school experience for Grande Prairie students.