Building a strong support system for newcomer families at Ontario Public School
Posted: July 9, 2026
Categories: nourish to flourish
With 550 students—a very large number of whom are newcomers to Canada—Ontario Public School serves as a vital community hub. Recently, the school received a $1,000 “nourish to flourish” grant and strategically utilized the funds to launch three impactful initiatives.
The school built an on-site garden to teach students about sustainable foods and essential life skills. Ashley Robins, an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) at Ontario Public School, spearheaded the project. She worked directly with a dedicated group of students to plant and harvest fruits and vegetables, providing fresh produce for the students and their families while fostering teamwork among newcomers.
“Watching the kids get their hands dirty and work together was incredible,” Ashley shared. “Agriculture doesn’t require perfect English; it just requires care and collaboration.”
Expanding its support beyond the classroom, Ontario Public School partnered with two local companies to organize free grocery giveaways. These events provided crucial food security and financial relief directly to the families within the school community.
Through the “nourish to flourish” grant, Ontario Public School successfully stretched $1,000 to feed students, educate youth, and build a stronger support system for newcomer families.