Lake Trail Community Education Society
Update from LTCES
As we re-think what community programming looks like for our organization this summer, our focus has shifted to food security initiatives, addressing play and learning needs for families with young children, and support for youth with a focus on vulnerable youth.
Food Security: Food cultivation, including community gardens, have been defined as essential services in the fight against COVID-19. We continue to grow food in the Lake Trail Community School Garden, as well as initiating local food security projects including our Squash Hunger project which saw 176 squash plants planted in lawns and gardens across the Comox Valley, and starting up the Lake Trail Community Seed Exchange when seeds were in short supply.
Outdoor Education: Connecting with nature and being together, safely, is good for us all. From the community garden to Roy Stewart Morrison Nature Park to Puntledge Park, we are finding ways to continue to build community connections surrounded by the natural world.
Support for vulnerable youth: We are very pleased to have received funding from the Canadian Red Cross COVID-19 Emergency Support for Community Organizations Granting Program, funded by the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund led by Employment and Social Development Canada. These funds will provide students who are experiencing increased stress as a result of the pandemic with support through arts and outdoor programming over the summer and into the fall. LTCES will start to unroll some of this programming in August.
Community School Societies are positioned to be of support for our community over the long-term. We will continue to assess local needs and options for programs and outreach activities which will be of benefit as we navigate changes. Visit our Community Programs page to learn more.
During the closure of the school and office, you can continue to contact us at any time with suggestions or ideas. Please feel free to email Lake Trail Community School Coordinator, Anna Rambow, at: LTCMSCoordinator@sd71.bc.ca
We are thinking of you all and hoping that you are staying healthy and safe!
– Lake Trail Community Education Society Board and Staff.
What is a Community School?
A Community School takes one of the largest and most under-utilized public facilities, the public school, and increases the investment by keeping it open evenings, weekends and during the summer for community activities.
Through multi-ministry funding and non-profit partnerships, community schools address the needs of all age groups, with programs for pre-school children, after school care, and adult education and recreation. The expanded mandate of the educational system in recent years has strengthened the potential of community schools in British Columbia.
LTCES
In 2019, Lake Trail Middle School and Lake Trail Community Education Society (LTCES) received official community school designation. The development of Lake Trail Community Middle School moving forward is a collaborative partnership between Lake Trail Community Education Society and Lake Trail Middle School.
Our Mission: Lake Trail Community Education Society promotes an integrated focus on lifelong learning, healthy lifestyles, community development and engagement leading to improved learning, stronger families and a healthier community. Lake Trail Community Middle School strives to be a neighbourhood centre accessible to everyone.
APRIL 2020 SALAD BAR SPONSOR, Re-Directed to LUSH Valley
Lake Trail Community Education Society sends huge thanks to CSN Reliable who donated $500 towards our Free Salad Bar Program at Lake Trail Community Middle School. This donation is being redirected to Lush Valley Food Action Societies Emergency Food Share Program.
CSN Reliable is a locally owned and operated auto body shop serving the Comox Valley since 1951.
We thank them for the support!
Upcoming Events:
Contact Us
Feel free to contact us with ideas and suggestions. We would love to hear from you!
Volunteers
To all of our volunteers and community facilitators, we miss you and look forward to connecting again soon! Thank you for all that you do.