New programming: Moccasin Identifier kits, Bhangra with Gurdeep Pandher and more
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oakville, Ont., January, 16, 2023 – The Oakville Community Foundation’s Community Classroom Online has relaunched with both archived and new, free interactive videos spanning local arts, culture, heritage and environmental programming for Halton students.
To start the year, students and teachers are invited to celebrate Chinese New Year with the Halton Region Canadian Chinese Association and the Yuan Yin Group as they tell stories, show examples of Chinese musical instruments, play traditional Chinese music and more! Additional videos will be added in May to recognize Asian Heritage Month.
Community Classroom will go on to celebrate Black History Month with the launch of a brand new mini-series that follows along with the recently released report Belonging and Racial Identity in Halton. Other content includes an exploration of steel pan drumming with the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton and a virtual tour of The Underground Railroad exhibit with the Oakville Museum. This programming is available through registration only.
To recognize Treaty Day on February 28, and later National Indigenous History Month in June, Oakville elementary schools in the Halton District School Board and Halton Catholic District School Board can register for a Moccasin Identifier kit, which aims to help understand Indigenous relationship to the land. Additional content includes pre-recorded videos by Elder Peter Schuler of the Mississaugas of the Credit as he reflects on First Nations history and culture.
Also new in April is the addition of Bhangra, a traditional dance of Punjab, with Gurdeep Pandher of Yukon to recognize Sikh Heritage Month. He is known for posting Banghra dance videos filmed in the beautiful scenery of the Yukon, and this special video just for Community Classroom will be available through registration on the Community Classroom website.
Past years pre-recorded favourites will continue to be available, including dance workshops, art classes and musical instrument exploration as well as environmental programs. All pre-recorded videos and links for registration are available at: https://www.theocf.org/initiative/community-classroom-online/
“We know that interacting with local organizations increases our sense of belonging in our community and that inclusivity and diversity is important to help everyone feel like they belong,” 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. We are so grateful for the continued support and the opportunity to offer these exciting experiences.”
About Community Classroom
Community Classroom was developed in 2018 with the goal of “No Child Left Behind” in Oakville, addressing the unequal access to community programs and local arts, culture, heritage and environmental organizations in the community. The introduction of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic has allowed Community Classroom to reach even more students.
In April of 2020, The Foundation pivoted to online for local classrooms to continue learning through recorded videos and activities. Since then, Community Classroom has been able to reach more students than before.
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 this important program. 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 the Ontario Trillium Foundation and Sagen.
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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 $57 million to support charities locally and beyond.
Media Contact
Taline McPhedran
Communications and Events Manager
taline@theocf.org | 905-844-3562 x. 309
