Lawson Teacher Information Package

Application Deadline 2020: March 25, 2020

Colonel Tom Lawson hoped to generate a feeling of national pride in senior public school students by encouraging them to learn and write about the accomplishments of significant Canadians. In 1978, the Lawson Literary Awards were born named in honour of his father, the Honorable Ray Lawson, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario from 1946 - 1952.

The Lawson Literary Awards program is designed to encourage grades 7 and 8 students to share their personal perspectives on Canadian issues of interest and importance to them. Each year, a panel of judges adjudicate submissions and a Lawson Literary award is presented to several recipients.

Together, our students, teachers, Principals, TVDSB support staff, TVEF Board members, Trustees and community businesses are raising funds for Toonie Tuesday 2020! Mark your calendars for February 11, 2020.

2019 was a huge success, with more than $44,000 coming from TVDSB schools, $2,600+ from local businesses, and nearly $3,000 from individuals! Our grand total for 2019? $51,550! THANK YOU!

In its short history, The Caring Fund has changed lives in our communities. It has provided toiletries and clothing when a student's possessions were destroyed in a house fire, purchased winter boots for children in an impoverished family and delivered food when cancer ravaged a local family's stability and income. These are our kids and our families, and sadly there are many more examples we could give.

The Toonie Tuesday campaign adds resources to the Caring Fund to meet student needs as they arise across Thames Valley. Every dollar we raised is directed back into our own school communities.

Together we can make a difference for our students! Questions about Toonie Tuesday? Reach out to our Events Coordinator and Development Assistant, Stephanie Winterton.

What: Previously Run for the FUNd, this year we're going virtual and rebranding as #5KYourWay! Register now, start fundraising for prizes, pick up your kit, and then complete your 5K (or more!) in the first two weeks of June from wherever you are!

Why: Supports The Caring Fund - a program that helps TVDSB students in financial need

Where: Wherever you are

When: May 31, 2021 - June 13, 2021

Who: EVERYONE WELCOME! This event is free to register for!

Get involved! Starting fundraising and have friends, family, and coworkers pledge you on your #5KYourWay! Not your thing? Follow us on Twitter and Instagram and help us reach more people -- like, share, and retweet!

If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Winterton.

With a goal to provide new backpacks full of new supplies to students in need, Natalie Trimble and Chantal McLaughlin started Supplies for Schools in their basement in 2001.  20 years later and the backpack drive has become Best First Day, a collaborative partnership between TVEF and The Salvation Army Centre of Hope, with help from United Way Elgin-Middlesex.

Every July and August, generous community organizations, groups, and members come together and donate thousands of new backpacks and new school supplies.  Hundreds of community members volunteer to stuff the backpacks. And together, we get the backpacks to the schools by the end of August so that every student has the opportunity to go to school on the first day with a backpack --- that's our Best First Day.

Last year we helped thousands of students have their Best First Day with backpacks and supplies donated and distributed to students across London, Middlesex, Elgin and Oxford counties. We're aiming for 4,000 in 2021! Help us rally behind our students and donate new gender-neutral backpacks and supplies now!

Visit www.bestfirstday.ca for more information or go to our donation page to donate. 

Questions? Reach out to Stephanie Winterton.