Xpey' Elementary is one of 30 schools across Canada to receive funding from the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation literacy grant. Xpey' will receive $25,000 to purchase a variety of books to peak student interest, including those that reflect Indigenous culture. The funding will further support the school's Read Well program for students in kindergarten to Grade 3.
More than 85 per cent of students at Xpey' identify as Indigenous. The funding award will be used for library transformation and to provide material that reflects interests of the school's students and the school community. The funding will also pay for school supplies for students, helping them learn and develop a love of reading.
"At Xpey' we focus on providing a structured literacy program that supports the individual needs of students," says Rose MacKenzie, principal. "This grant will help us continue that important work and help improve learning outcomes for all our students."
The school recently welcomed team members from Indigo/Chapters at a school assembly to celebrate the news. During the assembly, each student received a book of their own to keep in their classroom library.
The Indigo Love of Reading Foundation aims to give children in elementary schools equal access to books to help them develop a love of reading and build their literacy skills. The 2018 funding is part of the foundation's annual $1.5 million commitment to elementary schools across Canada. Applications to 2019 funding will be available in November 2018.
