Valley View Elementary is an amazing school with a big heart. This February, staff, students and parents of the Forest Lawn/Dover communities have energetically engaged in a number of activities to support Tsunami Relief in South East Asia. The fundraising tasks were tied to curricular outcomes of three inquiry projects occurring at the school; “How important is change?” “What does it mean to be a citizen?” and “How are we all connected?”

On February 1st, Valley View Elementary School commenced its Dimes across the Water fundraising campaign.  The swift and unbeatable Bluenose on the dime was representative of our mission to collect enough dimes to span the oceans to help the disaster stricken area. The number of dimes collected was pictorially represented around the perimeter of the school gymnasium. The community has donated almost 5000 dimes; and the goal has been reached.

The grade 1/2 classrooms began a Small Change Makes for Big Changes campaign where they collected pennies to donate to the relief fund. To date they have collected over $200.

Our School Council agreed to donate the proceeds from the sale of Texas Donuts to the cause. The donuts were in the shape of life preservers with white icing and red sprinkles. The shape of the donut was representative of the “lifeline” of kids helping kids and the red and white colours were representative of Canada. The Toonies for the Tsunami netted a profit of $410. We were amazed by the number of donuts sold for more than the $2 price. “Keep the change” was heard many times. Thirty dozen donuts were sold that morning!

As you can see, this school of “global citizens” have shown they have a big heart. An amazing total of over $1200 will proudly be donated to the Save the Children Canada Fund.

At Valley View Elementary School our motto is “BELIEVE AND SUCCEED” and that is exactly what we did!