LAKELAND – Northern Lights Public School (NLPS) board of trustees presented the Dragonfly Centre and Inter Pipeline with 2023 Friends of Education Award during the Jan. 17 board meeting.
“As one of our health partners, Dragonfly provides an invaluable service to both our students and staff through presentations, professional development, and the services they provide in our communities,” said Board Chair Karen Packard. “We appreciate their support for our schools and their ongoing commitment to expanding their programming work with us to support the students.”
Dragonfly Centre Counselling and Support Centre is a non-profit providing education programs for K-12 students covering a range of issues from sexual harassment and digital safety to navigating healthy friendships and relationships.
Their presentations provide education about issues like supporting children and family members who’ve experienced sexual violence and indicators of child abuse.
In 2015, Dragonfly initially started offering three educational programs in schools but has now expanded to over 20 specialized, age-appropriate programs for digital and in-person formats.
“We would like to thank NLPS for supporting educational programming that makes sexual violence a topic that students feel safe to talk about, and creating school environments where children and youth are encouraged to make safe choices, form healthy relationships, and understand how to access help and support if needed,” said Executive Director Mikaela Moulton.
Inter Pipeline
Another recipient of the 2023 Friends of Education Award from NLPS was Inter Pipeline.
“We are grateful for the support provided to our schools and students by Inter Pipeline and we are particularly appreciative that they have chosen to partner with our smaller, rural schools,” said Packard. “Community partnerships like this are incredibly important in being able to provide enhanced learning opportunities to our students.”
Iron River School nominated Inter Pipeline for supporting its physical education and literacy programs. For five years now, Inter Pipeline has given over $30,000 to fund the school’s library books, reading incentives, sports equipment, and Accelerated Reading Program.
Other key programs Inter Pipeline supported include Iron River School’s archery program and annual donations to the school’s hockey tournament and Christmas auctions.
Iron River School Principal Dustin Blake praised Inter Pipeline for being great people to work with.
Additionally, Inter Pipeline has been a generous benefactor for Ardmore School and is a longtime sponsor of the school’s annual Duck Race.
More broadly, Inter Pipeline supports initiatives like APPLE Schools, a company involved in promoting healthy eating, physical activity, and mental health. The company also provides financial assistance for high school students who wish to pursue post-secondary education in industry related fields.
“I am proud to see us continue to support initiatives like this that make a difference in the lives of students,” said Allen Brundige, Inter Pipeline Supervisor, Pipeline Field Operations.
