A student from Glen Allan Elementary colours one of the bookmarks being given to Indigo Sherwood Park customers who donate to the school’s Indigo Adopt a School campaign this year.
Sherwood Park, AB. — The Indigo Adopt a School Program is back this year and five schools within Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) are looking to raise $1,000 to fill their library shelves. The annual program is a national initiative that raises funds for schools across Canada to purchase needed books and builds awareness about the importance of school learning commons.
“Reading is the best and I just love all the words,” says Larissa Vis, a Grade 2 student at Glen Allan Elementary. “My favourite thing about our library is how I get to look at books, especially ones with cool pictures.”
The program runs from now until October 31 and relies on community support through online donations. Schools are set up with a free Adopt a School microsite hosted by Indigo. There, community members can donate a sum of money, by name or anonymously. Donating is easy. Simply visit Indigo’s microsite for each—EIPS schools’ fundraising sites include:
- École Campbelltown
- Glen Allan Elementary
- Rudolph Hennig Junior High
- SouthPointe School
- Elk Island Youth Ranch Learning Centre
“I love reading because it’s entertaining and gives me something to do,” says Jaxson Callender, a Grade 6 student at Glen Allan Elementary. “I love reading fiction most of all. People should donate so students like me can get even more books to read.”
Schools will receive an Indigo gift card with 100 per cent of the funds raised during the program, and a 30 per cent discount for whatever is purchased with the card. Schools in the Division represent five of 36 schools in Alberta participating in this year’s program.
Each school is looking to expand their collection to include diverse titles. “Not only does this program promote literacy growth, but it also works to ensure our spaces remain welcoming, caring and safe,” says Cathy Allen, the Board Chair of EIPS. “With an expanded shelf of books, learning commons become more inclusive, allowing students to find stories where they can see themselves and their lived experiences represented.”
Adopt a School is part of Indigo’s Love of Reading Foundation, which aims to give students equal access to books to help them develop a love of reading and build their literacy skills. The following Indigo stores also accept in-person donations:
- Chapters Crowfoot, accepting for École Campbelltown;
- Indigo Sherwood Park, accepting for Glen Allan Elementary;
- Indigo South Common, accepting for Rudolph Hennig Junior High;
- Chapters South Point, accepting for SouthPointe School; and
- Coles – Brandon Shoppers Mall, accepting for the Elk Island Youth Ranch Learning Centre.
Elk Island Public Schools is one of Alberta’s largest school divisions, serving approximately 17,750 students in 42 schools. We are proud to be an integral part of our communities, including Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Vegreville, Strathcona and Lamont counties, and the western portion of the County of Minburn.
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For more information contact:
Laura McNabb, Director, Communication Services, EIPS 780-417-8204 cell 780-405-4902