FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oakville, Ont., January 22, 2024 – The Oakville Community Foundation’s Community Classroom is back with new free, interactive content, including in-class activities and performances for the first time since 2019.
Community Classroom was developed in 2018 with the goal of “No Child Left Behind”, addressing the unequal access to community programs and local arts, culture, heritage and environmental organizations in the community. This year’s programming features in-class live instruction, available to students in Oakville, and pre-recorded videos, available to all students in Halton, simply by registering on the Community Classroom website.
Just a few of the new programs available include:
● Recorded Guided Moccasin Trail Walk with Indigenous Knowledge Keeper Stephen Paquette
In the tradition of the Anishinaabe (the Original People), and the Haudenosaunee (People of the Longhouse), this journey follows the elements of their traditional teachings and Thanksgiving Address in which we acknowledge and express our collective appreciation for what the Creation provides for us.
● Where does our food come from? In-classroom program with Halton Environmental Network
Students are introduced to different steps in the food system as well as answers to the questions: Where does our food come from? Who grows it and how does it get to us? What transportation is required for the food to travel to us? Who are the people involved in this process?
● The Premiere of Finding Freedom on the Sixteen with the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton
Finding Freedom on the Sixteen is a one-hour documentary film project that brings to life the remarkable history of people of African descent who settled around the Oakville Harbour, formed by the mouth of Sixteen Mile Creek. It features interviews with descendants of the first black families in Oakville dating back to the mid-1800s.
Other live in-class programs include Steelpan Drumming with the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton, Artist Books with the Oakville Galleries, Tree Identification with Oakvillegreen, Urban Dance with Arthouse, live music and instrument demonstrations with the Oakville Symphony and more returning pre-recorded content.
“We’re thrilled to be returning to in-class offerings as well as virtual experiences with a new, simplified registration website,” said Frances Pace, Director of Fundholder and Community Engagement. “Community Classroom supports so many local organizations and continues to offer students the opportunity to experience something fun, educational, local and free.”
The Foundation’s goal is to ensure this program is always available as a valued and important element of community well-being. The Community Classroom Fund is a way to ensure that the 20,000+ students in publicly-funded schools will always have access to local arts organizations. To support education through arts, culture, heritage and environmental programming, donate here.
Community Classroom is made possible by the Oakville Community Foundation with support from Sagen and generous donors.
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Oakville Community Foundation
The Oakville Community Foundation is a local charitable solutions provider, delivering the tools to realize your charitable passions. The Foundation acts as a philanthropic medium, investing donations to generate new money for our community. We conduct local research to provide our diverse donors with knowledge and solutions to make an impact in the local community, both today and in the future. Thanks to the visionaries in our community who started The Foundation more than 25 years ago, The Foundation has granted more than $63 million to support charities locally and beyond.
Media Contact
Taline McPhedran
Communications and Events Manager
taline@theocf.org | 905-844-3562 x. 309
