Last year the Board approved a new $100,000 student leadership fund to enhance student leadership opportunities for the 2023-2024 school year. The purpose of the fund is to generate initiatives, projects or campaigns for students, by students.  

Any student in the VSB could apply. In total 98 projects were submitted, and 80 of those met the qualifications to be awarded a grant. Funding was available up to $2,000 for projects led by secondary school students, $1,000 for those led by elementary school students, and up to $4,000 for projects that included cross-district student leadership. Forty projects were funded at elementary schools, 38 at secondary schools and 2 cross-district initiatives were supported.  The themes identified within these projects included: 

• Arts and creative projects, including murals, art installations and art shows, production workshops, storyboarding, casting and creative writing and poetry contests.
• Cultural and community engagement projects, including carnivals, musical performances, diversity fairs, and collaborative indigenous gardens. 
• Workshops and student learning initiatives including disability education and awareness workshops, workshops promoting sensitivity to diversity, safe coping mechanisms to stressors, and skills to improve mental well-being.

In June, students had the opportunity to speak about their project and what they achieved with the grant at the District’s first Student Leadership fund showcase. Check out what they have to say below! 

Additional information about the grant can be found on the website or in the student leadership grant annual report.