June 2, 2021 (Brockville, Ontario) – For the first time, the Upper Canada District School Board’s Secondary Virtual Program hosted a Relay for Life event using a method the student body already understands so well – through digital streaming.
The Relay for Life program has been a long-standing event that has traditionally included outdoor gatherings where participants walk throughout the day or evening to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society. A number of UCDSB secondary schools coordinate an annual Relay for Life event, yet due to the pandemic, some schools have had to forego the event while others have been able to convert to virtual events.
This year, the UCDSB Secondary Virtual Program students joined both Thousand Islands Secondary School and Almonte District High School in the RFL online initiative. In the Secondary Virtual Program, students have chosen to study asynchronously from home. Although none of the students who attend this program have been together in an in-person classroom or brick-and-mortar school this year, they still feel they are a community and realized they can make a difference in the lives of others.
From May 22 to 25, students from the UCDSB Secondary Virtual Program coordinated daily YouTube Live and Zoom calls where they shared stories, played games and encouraged their viewers to donate online to their Relay for Life event.
After all their efforts, the Secondary Virtual Program’s hard work paid off and they raised more than $3,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society.
“The UCDSB Secondary Virtual Program was created in response to the pandemic. Through the year, our student leaders and teachers have emerged to build school community in a totally virtual environment,” says UCDSB Vice-Principal of Distance Learning Brian Reid. “Our student leaders on the Relay for Life committee continue to make a huge impact in our program and beyond with their creativity and care for others.”
Their fundraising page is live until June 6 and continues to welcome donations.
Brockville’s Thousand Islands Secondary School Relay for Life committee also hosted a virtual Relay for Life event last week. The school’s ambitious $10,000 goal was met with an incentive – teacher Cindi Walpot promised she’d shave her head if the school surpassed their fundraising goal. The school exceeded that benchmark and raised $12,000. Walpot provided online evidence with a photo of her recently shaved head, and the Relay for Life committee expressed gratitude for their community sponsors and supporters.
Almonte District High School is set to host its virtual Relay for Life event the week of June 7 and has set an $8,000 fundraising goal.
“We’re so proud of our students and staff for living out our school board’s values as caring, courageous and responsible individuals giving back to our community,” says UCDSB Director of Education Designate Valerie Allen.
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For more information:
April Scott-Clarke
Manager of Communications & Relationship Management
[email protected]