One-Stop Grad Shop is Dressing up Grade 8 Graduates for Free

TUESDAY, APR. 19, 2022

King George School is again partnering with the Brantford Police Service to provide Grade 8 students across the district, from any school board, an opportunity to find their special graduation outfit without the price tag.

“Moving on to secondary school is a major milestone for our students, and the One-Stop Grad Shop is a great program that helps remove barriers to celebrating with friends and family," said Cheryl Bannister, Principal at King George School. "Thanks to generous community support and the great work of the Brantford Police Services, Grade 8 graduates can pick out a great outfit at no cost."

Detective Kelsie Annaert, along with fellow officers and Grand Erie teacher Shannon McLeod, started the One-Stop Grad Shop six years ago, and the program has helped many graduates find what they needed to celebrate in style. The program is back after a two-year COVID-enforced hiatus to offer a variety of gently used formal wear, shoes and accessories free of cost.

Organizers are seeking donations of formal wear including dresses, suits, jackets, and dress shirts, as well as shoes, ties and accessories. Donations can be dropped off at the Brantford Police Station (344 Elgin Street) until May 3.

The One-Stop Grad Shop supports Grand Erie's Multi-Year Strategic Plan priority of Belonging, promoting equitable practices that help students and families feel safe, welcomed, and included.

One-Stop Grad Shop:

• Date: Friday, May 6, 2022
• Location: King George School (265 Rawdon Street, Brantford)
• Time: 3:30-7:00 p.m.

Grand Opening of the Snoezelen Room

Elgin Avenue Public School welcomed staff, students and community to the Grand Opening of the Snoezelen Room on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

On hand for this special occasion was Chair of the Board Carol Ann Sloat, Trustee Rita Collver and Superintendent Liana Thompson as well as several members of the community that contributed to the fundraising, and Elgin staff members.

Allie Richardson (teacher of students with autism), Lori Minarik (EA working with students with autism) and Samantha Nicholson (Principal) worked together for over three and a half years to fundraise for this $30,000 project. The Elgin community, parents, local charities and the Grand Erie District School Board all came together to make this project a huge success.

A Snoezelen Room is a multi-sensory environment that provides a controlled, safe, relaxing space for individuals with a variety of sensory needs. The room is set up to give individuals a positive space where they can meet their specific needs in a calming atmosphere. This atmosphere helps in reducing fear, anxieties, repetitive behaviour, self-abusive behaviour and aggressive behaviour so that students are better able to learn. Students at Elgin in both self-contained classes and in the regular classes will be able to access the room to help meet their sensory needs.

According to Seth, a student who accesses the room daily, “It is the best room ever!!!”