February 19th, 2015

Dear MJ families,

Wednesday February 25 is move-a-thon day at MJ!  Pledge forms were sent home with students at the beginning of this week and are due back on Monday.

This year at Mary Johnston a decision was made by the School Council to engage in a fundraising event to support another school or program.  This decision was in keeping with the WRDSB fundraising policy that encourages schools to “consider assisting other schools whenever possible and as deemed appropriate by the school community”.  The decision was made that our move-a-thon would be planned with that goal in mind.

For the last few years, the Mary Johnston students have been able to enjoy a very healthy Nutrition for Learning snack program that is run by parent volunteers.  Our program is supported by funds from Nutrition for Learning as well as contributions from our School Council.  Being aware that many other school communities in the WRDSB do not have the ability to contribute to their Nutrition for Learning programs in the way that our School Council can, our School Council made the decision to devote up to $3000 of funds raised at the move-a-thon to another Nutrition for Learning program.  The remainder of the funds raised will go to support School Council funded initiatives at MJ.

We hope that you will keep in mind the importance of the mission of Nutrition for Learning in helping your child fundraise for the move-a-thon.

“Nutrition for Learning’s mission is to enhance the ability to learn by ensuring that each student attends school well nourished.”

Nutrition for Learning provides breakfast, lunch or healthy snacks to children every day through 145 programs in Waterloo Region.  Their programs impact the physical, cognitive, behavioural and academic needs of our children.  You can learn more by visiting their website http://www.nutritionforlearning.ca/ or by speaking with MJ’s Nutrition for Learning co-ordinators.

The move-a-thon is an opportunity for all of our students to have fun and be active and healthy.   Due to the generosity of our school community, our students benefit daily from MJ’s Nutrition for Learning program.  Let’s work together to support the Nutrition For Learning program so the organization is able to assist another school to offer similar nourishment to their students throughout the school day!

Thank you for your involvement and donations to our move-a-thon.

Tracey Wiegand and Lorie McMahon, MJ School Council Co-Chairs