“Everything we ordered is needed both academically and for our students’ mental wellbeing,” explains Dan, a TDSB teacher at Humber River Hospital.

Every year at Humber River Hospital, around 100 child and adolescent mental health patients are able to keep up with their school studies in our two in-hospital TDSB classrooms. This is the cornerstone of the Hospital’s Transition Day Program, an outpatient program that provides mental health care and schooling for kids who aren’t ready to go back to their local school.

Recently, Humber’s Transition Day Program was gifted $5,000 to spend on educational supplies and equipment for their classrooms.

“Everything we ordered is needed both academically and for our students’ mental wellbeing,” explains Dan, a TDSB teacher at Humber, “These are concrete things linked to our curriculum. A lot of thought went into our choices.”

New iPads will be used for educational purposes, and Lego Robots were purchased for the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program.

“We’re really excited to use the robots to teach the kids science principles like mechanical efficiencies,” says Dan. “It’s a hands-on way for the kids in grades 4, 5, and 6 to understand physics.”

The teachers also picked out new instruments and art supplies that will be used in classes for music and visual arts. In addition to being an important part of the TDSB curriculum, music and art are mindfulness activities that are really important tools for mental health and wellbeing.

In addition to being an important part of the TDSB curriculum, music and art are mindfulness activities that are really important tools for mental health and wellbeing.

“Our students tend to be motivated and engaged in these areas,” says Shellie, an Educational Assistant, “And the act of making art and music can be very therapeutic for them.”

The teachers are also excited to add a colour printer to their classrooms. Their students use Google Draw to practice their computer literacy skills, and it will be nice for the kids to be able to print out their creations in full colour and take them home after being discharged from the program. The students also run a store called Kid’s Café, and now they will be able to design and print their flyers using the printer.

“They used to make beautiful designs on the computer, but they would only be able to print in black and white,” says Shellie. “I’m happy they will finally be able to see their designs come to life!”

Our Thanks

This gift was made possible by the 30 volunteers from RBC who unlocked the $5,000 for Humber’s TDSB classrooms by volunteering over 350 collective hours with Humber River Hospital’s Mental Health and Addictions Program. This contribution is part of RBC Foundation’s ongoing support of Humber’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Program, which kicked off in 2012 when they made a generous 10 year capital commitment and named Humber’s Child and Adolescent Inpatient Unit. “We really appreciate the opportunity to contribute through our people,” says Geoff Reeser, who leads RBC’s volunteer effort at Humber River Hospital. Thank you for your ongoing support and generosity!