Excitement filled the gym at Brooke Elementary on Monday afternoon as students, staff and guests gathered for a special assembly to celebrate a major achievement: the school has been awarded a $35,000 grant from the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation .
Despite recent efforts to improve the school's library, many of the books remain outdated some averaging over 20 years old. This grant marks a transformative step forward in revitalizing the school's literacy resources.
"Our vision is to increase literacy engagement by expanding reading choices and updating our book collections to reflect the diversity of our students," said Principal Jeff McCallum. "We also hope to strengthen community ties with author visits and literacy events involving families."
The grant application, led by Teacher-Librarian Mrs. D'Aoust, outlined a comprehensive literacy plan that includes:
- Enhancing classroom and school libraries with diverse, high-interest books to ensure equitable access to quality reading materials.
- Hosting annual family literacy events and author visits to build a culture of reading.
- Launching a home-school reading program aligned with the science of reading to boost engagement at home.
- Supporting literacy instruction with high-interest book sets, literature circle kits, and rotating themed book bins.
- Expanding classroom libraries with picture books that support theme-based learning across subjects.
To track the impact of these initiatives, the school will monitor improvements in literacy assessment scores and early literacy indicators, increases in library book checkouts, and participation in community literacy events and at-home reading activities
The announcement was attended by the Delta Board of Education's Chair Joe Muego, Vice Chair Val Windsor, and Trustee Erica Beard, along with the district's Superintendent of Schools Doug Sheppard.
"We know how important books are to children," said Board Chair Joe Muego. "They can spark a lifelong love of reading that forms the foundation for academic success. We congratulate Brooke Elementary on this well-deserved grant and thank Indigo for their continued investment in youth."
Many elementary schools across Canada have limited library budgets, often relying on outdated and worn materials. The Indigo Love of Reading Foundation helps bridge this gap by providing funding to schools in need, empowering them to build vibrant, engaging literacy environments.
