On Tuesday, January 23rd, the Prairie Spirit Schools Foundation (PSSF) presented a Learning Grant for $1514.96 to the Royal Bean; a school based coffee business that is run by students in the Life Skill Program at Martensville High School.
“The Royal Bean provides an authentic environment in which students with intellectual disabilities can learn life and employment skills and has been extremely effective and beneficial to the students. We are very proud to give them money as they have been very self-sufficient and I think it’s been a great program because it encourages learning,” Denise Kendrick, PSSF Fund Development Manager stated.
The purpose of the PSSF is to raise money to use towards supporting innovation in public education. Since its inception in 2014, the Foundation has held numerous fundraisers and worked with several partners in which to raise funds to help with initiatives within Prairie Spirit School Division (PSSD) locations that don’t typically receive funding. The Foundation’s Learning Grants are designed to support students in Prairie Spirit School Division, with an emphasis on student engagement and relevant learning opportunities.
This year, PSSF presented Learning Grants totaling over $36,000 to nine schools within the school division. Between this year and last, a total of over $76,000 was given to PSSD schools. “Although we are still growing, we feel as though things are ramping up. Our goal is to engage partners in public education to enrich opportunities for the students. We are just really thrilled that we are able to do this for the students and we can’t wait to hear about the impact these grants will have,” Kendrick added.
Applications for the Learning Grants were open this past fall, and had a focus on enhancing student engagement by empowering young people to explore their passions and create change in their classrooms, their schools and their community. Following a rigorous application process, the Foundation approved nine submissions from teachers and administrators and provided funds to schools throughout the Division.
Each year, PSSF hosts a golf classic to raise funds and the group is preparing for their fourth annual event this June. In addition, the PSSF will be hosting a Cocktail Party on March 22nd from 4:30pm to 7:30pm at the Brian King Centre in Warman. Tickets to the event are $25.00 each and sponsorship opportunities are still available. “It is really going to be something special. There will be a lot of students there providing entertainment, preparing appetizers and recipients of the learning grants will be there to do demonstrations,” explained Kendrick.
