News release

SchoolsPlus Expands to Truro Family of Schools

Education (July 1999 - March 2013)

Students and families from Truro will have access to parenting sessions, employment supports, physical activities, and homework clubs thanks to the province's expansion of SchoolsPlus.

The Chignecto-Central Regional School Board will establish a hub site at Truro Junior High School in 2012-2013 to be the centre of a network for SchoolsPlus to serve a family of schools. The school board will receive $125,000 to provide leadership and community outreach.

"SchoolsPlus strengthens the links between schools, parents and the community, said Lenore Zann, MLA for Truro Bible Hill, on behalf of Education Minister Ramona Jennex. "I am pleased that students from Truro Junior High School, Truro Elementary School, Harmony Heights Elementary School, and Cobequid Education Centre will have more access to services that kids and families need."

The province is investing $2.5-million in SchoolsPlus, bringing together teachers, students, families and community volunteers to design and deliver programs that meet the specific needs of the community.

"Truro Junior High welcomes any program that will make more community services accessible to students and families," said Shelley MacLean, vice principal. "We have many community partners, and SchoolsPlus will strengthen those connections."

While every school will be different, schools now participating in SchoolsPlus co-ordinate and deliver about 100 services and activities such as:

  • mentoring
  • anger management
  • adult literacy
  • employment support
  • parenting support
  • art and sport programs
  • entertainment and hobby clubs
  • summer camps

Some Colchester area partners that will participate in SchoolsPlus will include Youth Services of Colchester East Library, Truro Boys and Girls Club, Maggie's Place, Public Health, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Colchester, Colchester United Way, Canadian Mental Health Association, Addictions Services and Cobequid Family Student Services, and many more.

The province's goal is to have SchoolsPlus schools in every county, with 28 hub sites, by 2017-18. Presently, eight SchoolsPlus sites are in place, reaching into 46 schools.

For more information about SchoolsPlus, visit: schoolsplus.ednet.ns.ca