Education, Literacy &
the Arts
Proceeds from our community fundraising activities allow us to support a variety of educational activities in our local schools. More than 20 members volunteer with ELA to enrich the lives of Lanark County elementary school students with positive, shared experiences around reading and literacy, and various forms of arts.
In 2023-2024, we volunteered at Glen Tay School, Chimo Elementary and Duncan J Schoular in Smiths Falls; and Maple Grove Public and Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School in Lanark.
As a CFUW member, this is the second year that I have volunteered as a tutorial reader at Glen Tay Public School, and I have had regular weekly contacts each year with over 12 pupils from Grades one to three, helping beginners who are experiencing some difficulties in learning to read. This involves building a trusting relationship, where it feels safe to read out loud, sound out new words, talk about what is being read and share experiences. I delight in seeing each student’s pride in making progress and building confidence; feedback from teachers is extremely positive and the tutoring experience so very personally rewarding.
Judy P.
I had the opportunity to work with a grade 1/2 class at Maple Grove Public School in Lanark this year. It was a highlight of my week to spend an afternoon doing one-on-one reading sessions with the children, and watching their reading skills and their interest in reading grow over the course of the year. It felt so good to have the students beg their amazing and caring teacher to have the chance to leave the classroom and join me for a story and a chat about their lives — their friends, pets, families, and career aspirations!
Linda C.
Education and Literacy
ELA Reading
This past year, 20 members worked one-to-one or in small groups to improve basic reading skills. Volunteers read for two hours weekly, when it fits their schedule and that of classroom teachers. Students gain confidence, and volunteers are rewarded in sharing in each student’s reading success.
The Arts
Our ELA volunteers provide different arts activities to stimulate creativity, curiosity and imagination. Parents, teachers and principals report that experience in these activities teaches collaboration, improves self-esteem and helps the children become better students.
Professional Musicians & Artists Perform
With CFUW financial support, 1,000 students from all five schools interacted with musical performers and artistic instructors. Working with MASC (Multicultural Arts for Schools and Communities), a non-profit organization in Ottawa,
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Glen Tay students interacted with Juno-nominated band Sultans of String,
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Duncan J Schoular and Chimo with Junkyard Symphony.
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An Indigenous singer/dancer performed and instructed at Maple Grove.
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Visual artists from JB Arts, Almonte led unique 3D painting, screen printing and hand casting at Sacred Heart.
Hands-on Arts Workshops
Creative Arts sessions include painting, music rhythm and drumming, collages and mixed media, puppetry, floral creations, a games club, and yoga. Through various painting, collage and mixed media techniques, the students learn and explore environmental and other current issues while creating their own unique masterpieces.
Creative activities emphasize self expression and foster new ideas and ways of thinking.
Online Music
This past year, CFUW Perth and District has provided a user-friendly music resource for teachers and students, regardless of musical experience. ELA funded one-year subscriptions for four schools to MusicplayOnline, an elementary music curriculum with pre-built lesson modules for both choral and instruments, demos and thousands of songs and activities.
With ELA contributing 50% of the cost of the professional musicians/artists, each school’s Parent Council fundraised to provide the rest.
Fun was Had by All
“Students learn the important skill of collaboration and critical thinking when taking part in the Arts. Students continue to build on their fine motor skills in the Arts and are always very proud of their creations. Every piece is different and shows the students’ uniqueness in what they do. It is such a joy to visit the class when they are creating or have finished their artwork.”
D. Lesser
Principal,
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School
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“I teach Kindergarten at Glen Tay school and feel incredibly lucky to be in the orbit of the kind, lovely, generous women of the CFUW! Our Kindergarten students have been the recipients of a wealth of support with their foundational literacy and numeracy skills over the past two years, thanks to CFUW volunteers (Sherry Wight-Toonders, and this year Jeanne Samborski).”
C. Mason
Teacher,
Glen Tay School
“The positive impact that the Arts contributes to empowering our students, improving self-esteem and confidence, as well their overall well being. It has a positive impact on the education side as well. It has helped improve our students’ reading ability and other academics. We know Covid had a large impact on the education of students and programmes that your organization has provided are aiding in our educational journey.”
N. Holman
Principal,
Duncan J. Schoular Public School
Our Members Volunteer!
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