Queen Victoria Wins $95,000 Indigo Love of Reading Grant
Queen Victoria celebrates their Indigo Love of Reading Grant.
Queen Victoria elementary celebrated a big win this month as the school received $95,000 in the form of an Indigo Love of Reading Foundation Grant. In the past 12 years, the Indigo foundation has given more than $17 million to deserving schools.
Queen Victoria staff submitted a grant in February with a proposal to use the $95,000 in a way that would help increase school literacy measures and foster a love of reading, Kindergarten teacher Rebecca Dykstra said.
While 10 per cent of the money will pay to host authors and guest speakers, the rest will be spent at Chapters/Indigo in ways that support the school’s literacy programming.
Half of the book spending will improve classroom libraries to support home reading programs, literacy circles and allow students and teachers to choose books of interest at the right reading level. The funds will be shared among all grade levels, as well as the autism and English learner programs.
The other half the book budget will go toward “transforming the library into a learning commons,” said Dykstra, who wrote the grant with teacher-librarian Dave Bradbury. This will help Queen Victoria replace old or outdated books, purchase supplies and equipment that encourage collaborative learning as well as make the library a more inviting space.
Past recipients Westwood and Sir Wilfrid Laurier also helped with advice on the application.
Updated on Monday, May 16, 2016.