The Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows School District will have more money to support families with expenses for school activities.
The province will be giving the district $673,000 to provide support directly to families for student necessities like school supplies, school fees, class trips, and additional costs that come with joining a school sports team or music program.
“As someone who has found so much joy in creating music throughout my life, I know how much school music programs can mean to a student,” said Bob D’Eith, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission.
“This program makes it possible for more students in our community to play instruments without worrying about the cost, in addition to supporting other extracurricular activities,” he added.
MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Lisa Beare noted that as a former school board member, she knows first-hand about families who have struggled with the costs of putting children in extra-curricular programming or sending them on school trips.
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“Through this funding, we are making sure that more kids can participate in these exciting programs and explore new opportunities that get them excited about learning,” she said.
The money is coming from the Student and Family Affordability Fund, which is being replenished with an additional $20 million this spring.
According to the government, more than $60 million has been provided to school districts throughout the province through this program over the past two years.