The Monique Fitz-Back Foundation announces that four Vaudreuil-Soulanges schools have had their school projects focusing on environmental and social initiatives selected as part of the 2024-2025 edition of its Financial Assistance Program.

“Schools play a key role in empowering young people. We are proud to see so many schools mobilizing their students around these initiatives. By supporting these projects, we strengthen young people's ability to positively transform their environment and become leaders in the creation of a greener, more responsible and inclusive society,” says Marie-Hélène Gagnon, Executive Director of the Monique Fitz-Back Foundation.

The Financial Assistance Program is the Foundation's flagship program. It supports initiatives aimed at strengthening the environmental and social commitment of young people, while promoting innovation in environmental education. Particular attention is paid to projects that aim to bring about positive behavioral changes in young people and their communities.

Here are the regional projects receiving financial support from the Foundation, along with descriptions of the initiatives submitted for funding:  

La Perdriolle maple syrup - $500

La Perdriolle elementary school's project involves the production of maple syrup. The funds will be used mainly to purchase equipment, including blowtorches, hooks, two huge cauldrons, several glass jars for distribution and even a container with a spout so that parents can fill their own jars at the entrance.

Les petits aventuriers de l'Éclusière - $500

École de Coteau-du-Lac's project aims to raise students' awareness of environmental protection and the health benefits of nature. To take full advantage of their new environment and help them discover the surrounding area, the school wishes to acquire tools and equipment for the children, including backpacks for hiking, waterproof cushions, yoga mats, etc. 

Kindergarten outdoor exploration - $500

Located on the water's edge, École de la Riveraine in Saint-Zotique wanted to provide students with binoculars to observe the various boats and birds that visit the area. In addition, with the purchase of equipment such as insect boxes, nets, tweezers, magnifying glasses, observation buckets, microscopes, documentary books, transport carts and clipboards, students will be able to observe nature and insects.

Compost... a team effort - $1,000

The team at Saint-Michel school in Vaudreuil-Dorion wants to raise awareness among the school's 400 students about the overproduction of compostable waste that ends up in household garbage.She wants each class to take part in composting table scraps by depositing them daily in a large, three-section bin. The resulting compost would be used to enrich the soil of our urban vegetable gardens. In addition, the school would like to equip each class with a paper bag for composting, containers for storing the paper bag, gardening gloves and one or two forks.

Fill the fridge - $500

École de la Riveraine has set up an ACTS committee that is involved in various projects touching on the four ACTS values: ecology, pacifism, democracy and solidarity. With the project, On remplit le frigo, the school's objective is to cook with the ACTES committee, with the aim of stocking the city's community fridge.This will be an opportunity to develop the value of solidarity by working together to achieve a common goal.