At the Annual Meeting of The Learning Foundation, a cheque for $722,867 was presented to Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, Director of Education Sean Monteith.
The cheque represents the support provided through The Learning Foundation to students during the 2019-20 school year, and is an increase in support from the 2018-19 school year.
It is through programs such as the Good Backpack, Prom Project, Bring Your Own Device, Food for Learning, Len and Olive Black Memorial Fund, Food for Home and the Student Emergency Fund, that students are supported.
The Learning Foundation exists to fundraise for programs and services that help students overcome barriers and succeed in school.
As Chair of The Learning Foundation, Susan Sweet stated at the Annual Meeting, “Hope …… The HPE Learning Foundation began 2020 on a very optimistic note with the creation of the LF’s superheroes – Harry – fighting hunger, Penny – prevailing over poverty and Erica – encouraging equity. Little did we know how very important these superheroes would become so soon after their creation. And, the message of hope (which I like to think of as the ‘H’ factor) became a theme, not only for the Foundation, but for all of us as we found ourselves challenged by an earth-shattering pandemic.”
“Learning Foundation Programs support some of our most marginalized and vulnerable students”, noted Executive Director Maribeth deSnoo. Our programs have a direct impact on students as we’re helping to cover the essentials. The initiatives of The Foundation help staff to form caring relationships with students, and through a very simple, and immediate process.”
As Frankford Public School Principal Joanne Barry shared at The Learning Foundation’s Annual meeting, “One of the effects of Covid-19 I think is that our staff got outside of their classrooms/homes and saw students in their homes and met with families when they were most vulnerable. The rewards of being able to offer the grocery cards but also to connect on a human level was immeasurable and my staff would definitely say that this opened their eyes in a way that our typical supports at school hadn’t previously. In conclusion, being able to connect on a human level is unmeasurable. Thank you to the Learning Foundation for all of the support.”