PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Two PDSB schools chosen as Indigo's Love of Reading Foundation recipents

What does reading mean to you?

Reading is one of the many ways that students learn new vocabulary, expand their minds and build their imaginations. Whether it's storytime in kindergarten, your first class trip to the library or writing your first essay, books play an important role in the education system.  

Many schools do not have the ability to provide students with a wide range of reading materials and resources for their students and staff. Indigo's Love of Reading Foundation aims to change this through their Literacy Fund Grant, which provides funding to schools that have a passion for literacy, but are considered "high-needs" for resources within their school.  

This year, two PDSB schools were selected to receive a Literacy Fund Grant. Thornwood Public School in Mississauga received a $70,000 grant and Birchbank Public School in Brampton received a $40,000 grant from the foundation. The schools were two of 31 recipients across Canada for their 2023 list.  The funding is divided over a three-year period and will give students and staff access to the Quarry Edge location as their home Indigo store where they can shop for books and resources of their choice, for their classrooms and school library. 

The principal of Birchbank Public School, Pam Bondett says reading and literacy means a lot to the students, staff and community at Birchbank Public School. "It means opportunity, access and capturing students' potential by providing those pathways." Books expose students to various characters, places, and inspire them to think outside of what their daily lives may look like.

Bondett says that books are the gateway to meeting the needs of her students and more. "When we have resources then we are able to meet the literacy needs of our students we'll have books that are reflective of the communities, backgrounds, and cultures which is what we want because then the joy of reading is very tangible." Visiting a local library is one of the main pathways that students gain access to literacy materials and are encouraged to read.

The principal shared that the local library within the Birchbank community is closing, which limits resources for her students and their families. "I would like our library learning commons to be a hub for our parents for our students for our teachers". 

Bondett previously received this grant during her time as principal at Marvin Heights Public School. 

The school is made up of students from Kindergarten to Grade 5 and Bondett shares that she wants her students to understand the importance of how reading can contribute to their lives as they grow beyond the classroom. "I want our students to start thinking about what life after elementary school looks like what do I want to be when I grow up I can be any of those things because I am a good reader."