In the October Superintendent’s Report, an update on School District 82’s use of funding from the Ministry of Education and Child Care was provided.
It was announced in September that the ministry would provide a one time payment to school districts in B.C. through the Student and Family Affordability Fund.
School District 82 received $500,000 to expand food programs and assist families with other school related costs. Superintendent Aaron Callaghan states that throughout the month, they had consulted with parents through an online forum where participants could provide ideas and opinions on the allocation of the funds.
According to Callaghan, the feedback demonstrated a need for healthy food programs and more support for students outside of school.
“We want to have this money in the pockets of families that are in need, that’s the what the fund is intended for,” Callaghan says.
From either the districts website or a school directly, parents can fill out a form to cover costs for other school related needs. Callaghan explains that this form could be used for field trip fees, extracurricular activities, or even winter clothes to get to and from school.
The school district hopes to work with other community organizations that provide assistance for students or families, like the Starfish Pack program which provides breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for children to take home on the weekend.
While they have already started to roll out these funding allocations, Callaghan says that administration and the district will continue to listen to feedback concerning what still needs to be addressed.
Listen to the CFNR story featuring Aaron Callaghan below:
