​Eight schools in Anglophone West School District have been awarded one-year grants under the Capacity for Courage program, offered by the provincial Departments of Education and Early Childhood Development and Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour. The program for K-12 anglophone schools in New Brunswick aims to support educators and students with initiatives that support culturally vibrant classrooms, schools and communities.

Teachers from each of the selected schools will be receiving the grants. Members of most teams will be participating in a kick-off innovation lab event taking place this summer from July 30 to August 1 and will then move forward with their funded programs this school year. Grant funds will be distributed in August.

Congratulations to the following grant recipients from ASD-W:

Diversity Film Series: This is Our Story - Emily Chevrier and Neil Brewer, Fredericton High School.

We are The World: Denise Dorcas and team - Priestman Street School.

Global Minds: Amanda Collicott, Michelle Keefe and team - George Street Middle School.

Welcoming Room: Jill Johnson - Nashwaaksis Middle School.

Buddy Program: Wendy Hudon, Natalie Mombourquette, Sarah Kennedy and team - Oromocto High School.

Drumming Across the World: Katie Murphy, Brenda Crook and team - Gibson-Neill Memorial School.

Exploring Diversity in a Rural Setting: Erin Jones, Melissa Creighton and team - Cambridge Narrows Community School.

Events Throughout the Year: Kelly Gaines, Colin McIssac, Barb Corbett and team - Connaught Street School.

A total of 22 Capacity for Courage grants were awarded across the province. Selection was based on adherence to the objectives of the grant. Representation across districts and across levels of schooling, as well as diversity in projects, were also considered. 

Submissions were required to support the province's 10-year Education Plan: Everyone at Their Best by targeting objective one in the plan, "ensuring all learners value diversity and have a strong sense of belongining," and objective nine, "fostering leadership, active citizenship and an entrepreneurial mindset."

The themes of the grant program are driving dynamic change in an increasingly diverse school; development of cultural vibrancy in school; and having the courage to lead change toward a vision of a culturally inclusive school and community.