KAWARTHA LAKES-THE student population at Fenelon Township Public School (FTPS)has increased by 30% over the last two years according to officials.
Parents and administrators say the activities for students at recess time and during outdoor gym time has not grown with the student population. Additionally, families play at the school after hours and on weekends as the school is the hub of the community and it is growing as well.
That’s where LEAF grants from Commonwell Insurance could come in handy according to local families. The Learning and Engagement Accelerator Fund program offers funding upgrades or even retrofits for the places in the community where people learn, share or play is the purpose of The Commonwell L.E.A.F. grants.
In 2021 there’s up to $1 million in grants to distribute to qualifying community projects throughout Commonwell Country: the smaller places and wide-open spaces of eastern, central and western Ontario.
“The enrolment of our school has been increasing over the last two years and we need to update our play structures for the students. We have a small structure in our Kindergarten yard which is not big enough and the structures in the Junior yard need to be reinstalled as they are coming up out of the ground due to the frost over the years. We would also like to put some fitness structures up in our Intermediate yard for our older students.” says the FTPS application.
Add your support here:https://thecommonwell.ca/locations/ftps-playground-revitalization/?doing_wp_cron=1635606316.5331571102142333984375
Playground upgrades at FTPS are one of many projects in the running for funding and they need your help.
The Woodville/Eldon Community Centre is hoping to make improvements to the accessibility and safety of persons with disabilities in the Community Centre. Organizers say the facility is a social hub for the community with programs and services that need to be available to all. The community meeting room has many uses from family birthday parties to weekly seniors’ luncheons; to serving as a polling station during elections. Dances and trade shows are held in the community centre during the summer when the ice is out. Many elderly grandparents enjoy attending the sports activities of their grandchildren. This project will allow them to view these events in the comfort of the heated lobby. Find out more here: https://thecommonwell.ca/locations/revitalization-of-woodville-eldon-community-centre/?doing_wp_cron=1635606226.1173551082611083984375
Edwin Binney’s Community garden in Lindsay wants to enhance the gardens by increasing accessibility, inclusivity, and educational experiences in the garden. The goal is to improve participation at the garden through the construction of accessible pathways and raised garden beds. On-site learning will be expanded to be open to all and ensure we have accommodations for adults and children/youth with special needs. (Examples: memory, vision, mobility adaptable to all age groups). This will enable us to enhance the learning experience through the creation of a sensory walk through the garden, with informational signage throughout providing facts about the garden and the natural environment. These enhancements will enable us to increase the amount and type of workshops we offer at the garden. Find out more here: https://thecommonwell.ca/locations/edwin-binneys-community-garden-accessibility-enhancement-project/
New submissions will be accepted until November 10th, 2021.
Between November 10th and December 3rd 2021, a panel of reviewers selected by the Program Sponsor will review the submissions and any supporting information including community support and will determine the recipients based on their sole discretion. Submissions will be considered based on: ability to communicate impact of project on learning and engagement in the community, ability to demonstrate project viability, demonstrated need for funding, community support garnered on L.E.A.F website and through social shares and any other factors at the discretion of the program sponsor.
Recipients will be notified no later than December 10th, 2021. Applicants who were not selected will be notified by email, no later than December 15th, 2021.
Good luck to all!
