May 26, 2016
BRUCE TRAIL Public School undertook a backpack collection challenge to help provide necessary school supplies for newcomer families to Halton – and the response exceeded all expectations.
The Milton school collected 80 backpacks – the goal was 46 – and were sent earlier this month to the Halton District School Board’s Welcome Centre. It provides a central location to assist newcomer students and their families. Services include registration, academic and language assessment, and resources about the Ontario school system. Settlement services are also available including resources about community groups, opportunities for volunteering., and community connections.
“It was such a fulfilling feeling for the students to know they have made a difference for children they have yet to meet,” said Jane Lumsden, Vice-principal at Bruce Trail Public School. “We have a wonderful philanthropic community and are always working on a charitable project. We were overwhelmed with our community response and are so grateful for their support.”
Backpacks included many necessary materials to start school such as pens, pencils, crayons and markers, notebooks and binders, erasers, rulers, pencil cases and calculators.
“On top of collecting these items, we prepared more than 50 lunch packs with water bottles and thermoses,” Lumsden added.