Fall 2011 (pdf) - Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board
Fall 2011 (pdf) - Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board
Fall 2011 (pdf) - Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board
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The Learning Foundation from<br />
a newcomer 's point of view...<br />
I have been working in The Learning Foundation for just over a<br />
year, <strong>and</strong> it truly has been a learning experience. I have worked<br />
in school settings for most of my twenty-seven year career <strong>and</strong><br />
was not aware of the existence of The Learning Foundation.<br />
I became aware of the funding available to students in need just<br />
before I began working in the Learning Foundation office. I knew<br />
that the schools received funding for school nutrition programs,<br />
assuming it came from the <strong>Board</strong> of Education. I did not know<br />
that The Learning Foundation was a separate entity housed at<br />
the Education Centre.<br />
At the school where I worked, we had a student in need of<br />
medical treatment, which the parent could not afford. I found<br />
out that the school could apply to the Student Emergency Fund<br />
to help with these costs. This is when I became aware of the<br />
Learning Foundation <strong>and</strong> its vision of providing opportunities<br />
for all students to be successful. I was impressed how quickly<br />
our request was processed <strong>and</strong> that we actually had a venue to<br />
help students in need.<br />
After coming to work in the Learning Foundation, I was able<br />
to pass along my new found knowledge to my peers in school<br />
offices who I knew were looking for ways to help students in<br />
need. Many of my peers welcomed this information, since they<br />
also were not aware of The Learning Foundation <strong>and</strong> the role it<br />
plays in helping the students of the <strong>Hastings</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Prince</strong> <strong>Edward</strong><br />
<strong>District</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>Board</strong>. I was, with the support of Maribeth, able<br />
to put together a package for all school principals to share with<br />
their staff to educate them in the vision <strong>and</strong> mission of The<br />
Learning Foundation.<br />
I believe that we play an important role, as we believe that all<br />
children deserve to have the same opportunities. I know that<br />
most schools will endeavour to support their students as best<br />
they can, but funds are not always available. Having the support<br />
of The Learning Foundation, whether for nutrition programs,<br />
sports equipment, or monetary assistance for students in need<br />
means that we are fulfilling an important role <strong>and</strong> the responses<br />
received for our support speaks for itself.<br />
What the Learning Foundation does is extremely important,<br />
especially in these economic times. Knowing that I can contribute<br />
to the Foundation along with many generous people in our local<br />
communities to help students in need, makes me feel good about<br />
where I work.<br />
Marg Walker<br />
Fundraising Assistant<br />
STUDENT EMERGENCY FUND REQUESTS 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11<br />
# of requests as of June 25 77 155 208<br />
# of requests for food (at home) 27% 21% 15%<br />
# of requests for clothes/shoes 27% 21% 28%<br />
# of requests for team/trip fees 38% 38% 28%<br />
# of requests for eyeglasses 8% 8% 4%<br />
# of requests for essential items (includes soap, shampoo, deodorant,<br />
feminine hygiene, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.)<br />
Student<br />
Emergency<br />
Fund<br />
10% 18% 14%<br />
# of requests for medical needs - - 11%<br />
TOTAL FUNDS DISTRIBUTED $14,339.00 $32,549.00 $33,220.00<br />
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