Harriett Todd Public School is getting new keyboards for its music program after students raised $6,000 through a cookie dough campaign.
Jasmine Svanda, the school’s music teacher, says approximately 200 students sold more 700 tubs of cookie dough during the recent fundraiser.
“The students loved it,” she said. “Our Grade 8 students helped to complete order forms and sort out the different flavours of cookie dough. It was really nice to see them take on that kind of a leadership role.”
Svanda says most students at Harriett Todd seem to "really enjoy" the music programs offered at the school.
“We have about 100 students who are involved with clubs like choir, our intermediate band, and the recorder club,” she said. “We are always looking for something extra to get them involved with.”
Svanda says music programs give students a sense of belonging and help to foster a positive school community.
“With music, you really see the benefits to the social and emotional well-being of the students,” she said. “It really gives them a great creative outlet.”
Svanda says students are often excited and happy when they participate in music, especially when they are playing the keyboard.
“I’ve noticed a lot of students really love the keyboard,” she said. “I thought it would be another wonderful opportunity for them to kind of thrive, creatively, and have that creative outlet.”
Fiona LeFebvre-Jenkins, a Grade 3 student, says learning through music is one of her favourite activities at school.
"Music makes me feel creative and it helps me do what I want to do,” she said. "I feel like there is so much potential and so many songs you can make with all of the different notes."
Anna Box, a Grade 3 student, says learning through music is a different experience than learning through a textbook.
"I really like music because it just makes you feel open-minded and makes you feel like you're free,” she said.
