Funded by the Children’s Aid Foundation and Scotia Capital, this program supports kids to stay in school through recognition of achievement and overcoming personal challenges. While the program does recognize academic achievement, it is more focused on recognizing children and youth who work through challenges and obstacles to succeed in school, graduate from alternative programs, graduate from elementary or high school, and who show commitment to community.

The Stay in School Awards is now accepting applications from teachers, counsellors, outreach workers, teaching support staff who want to recommend students and youth that are deserving of a Stay in School Award or Graduation Award.

Stay In School Award
Students who are eligible and stay in school can be nominated for an award and if selected will receive a $200 Canada Savings Bond (for their education!) + a $50 cash cheque for elementary aged winners and $100 for high school aged recipients (to treat themselves for all of their hard work!). Challenges overcome could include truancy, academic issues, former drop outs, successful transition from alternative classrooms to regular ones, successful transition from basic to general or advance courses etc. We are also able to recognize participation in community, excellence in academics and sports as well. In addition, kids who overcome personal challenges including: culture shifts, moving, family issues, or others are also eligible.

Please note that Canada Savings Bonds are currently not available for purchase. If the student is selected as a winner for the Stay in School Award, he/she will receive the Canada Savings Bond sometime in December 2010 when the bonds become available for purchase from the Government of Canada. The student will still receive the $50/$100 cash cheque in late June.

Graduation Award
Graduation Awards were established to recognize at-risk, disadvantaged students for meeting their education goals and successfully completing Grade 7 or Grade 12. The awards are $50 for Grade 7 and $100 for Grade 12. All students who meet the general eligibility outlined above and successfully graduate from Grade 7 or 12 are eligible to receive this award. They do not have to receive a Stay in School Award; this is an automatic award based on the recommendation of a staff person and confirmation of the committee.

The deadline for all applications is June 1, 2010.

To download the application, please click here.

For more information, please contact Janet Woo at janet.woo@rysa.bc.ca or at 604.271.7600 ext 125.