Harry Balfour School (HBS) is extremely grateful for the continued support it has received from the community. Two recent donations, nearing $10,000, have been provided to the new Harry Balfour School, moving it another step closer to providing an exceptional experience for its students.
Thanks to the success of the Swan City Rotary lotteries, the organization was able to allocate nearly $5000 to HBS’s new sensory room. The school’s Participarent group applied for the grant earlier this spring and was thrilled to learn they had been successful. The money has been used to purchase a Split Donut, which can be used for countless creative exercises and tasks, and Module Blocks, which encourage cooperative building and build cognitive, dexterity, sensory, and social interaction skills.
In addition to the sensory room funds, HBS has also received a $5000 donation for its new playground from the Whispering Ridge Community School (WRCS) Participarent group. WRCS Participarent Chair Mrs. Megan O’Toole says with the recent adjustment to Peace Wapiti Public School Division’s boundaries making a significant impact on numerous WRCS families, they wanted to show their support and contribute to the success of the new school. “We are optimistic that this contribution will be beneficial toward helping Harry Balfour School get close to their fundraising goal. As a board of parents, we understand the importance of having a playground ready for the students when the school year commences. We were happy to help such a great cause.” Mrs. O’Toole says the $5000 donation came from multiple fundraising events.
HBS Principal Ms. Jen Clevette says these donations are greatly appreciated and she can’t wait to receive the new equipment. “With the $5000 donation from WRCS’s Participarent we have now raised $145,000 of our $175,000 goal. The playground equipment has been ordered and we anticipate it will be installed and ready for our students when school begins this fall.” Ms. Clevette would like to acknowledge the WRCS Participarent members for their hard work and dedication to their students. She says her staff and students are all very excited to welcome new families this fall, and are looking forward to showing them why Harry Balfour School is such a wonderful community to be a part of.
HBS students and staff would like to thank the Swan City Rotary Club and WRCS Participarent group for supporting their new school. The Harry Balfour replacement school is scheduled to open this fall.