In recognition of Brian Todd’s lifelong passion for a career in education, the Board of Directors of the Brian Todd Memorial Community Fund established a separate Schools Program in 2018. Each year, grants are awarded to all four public schools in Brighton—Smithfield Public School, Spring Valley Public School, Brighton Public School, and East Northumberland Secondary School.

These grants provide students with an opportunity to identify, select, manage and complete a project that will enhance the experience for students that follow them in subsequent years. Emphasis is placed on projects that are student-driven, and which closely align with the objectives of the Brian Todd Memorial Community Fund.

2025

$8,600 in grants awarded

Brighton Public School – $1,500
Always looking for different ways to stimulate its students through playground activities, this grant will be used to purchase and construct a Gaga Ball Pit, in which a gentler form of dodgeball is played. As well, with the help of the ENSS woodworking class, garden boxes will be added to the school’s community garden, providing students of all grades to plant and cultivate fruits and vegetables for use in the school’s breakfast program.

Smithfield Public School – $2,500
Limited financial resources have had a negative impact on the school’s drama and music programs, so this grant will be used to enhance equipment used in those programs – portable speakers, microphones and sound mixers – important items needed to develop the talents of its young actors and musicians.

Spring Valley Public School – $2,500
Like most schools, Spring Valley Public School provides nutritional snacks to students. Upgrades to its ‘breakfast room’ are necessary to improve its storage and food preparation capacity. This grant will be used to replace an end-of-life dishwasher and to install new cupboards and shelving units for this heavily-used room.

East Northumberland Secondary School – $2,100
ENSS has a unique ‘store’ named the Chique Boutique – this store ‘sells’ free of charge gently-used clothing, jewellery, and other products to its students and staff. Due to its growing popularity, the store requires sturdy clothing racks and bins to both store and to display its wares. This grant will address that need.

ENSS Garden of Hope – $320
The ENSS Garden of Hope, located on Dundas Street, just West of the ENSS Main Entrance, is a place for people to visit and reflect on their own or others’ experiences with cancer. This grant is supporting the renewal of its website (enssgardenofhope.ca) with the objective being to elevate the public’s awareness and importance of the Garden.

2024

$10,500 in grants awarded

Brighton Public School – $2,500

Brighton Public School is becoming recognized for its drama productions. In recent years, its performances have been played to a packed public audience, featuring performances by students in Grades 3 to 8. Recent performances include The Poisoned Apple, The Magical Lamp of Aladdin, The Girl With the Golden Locks and, most recently, The Princess Who Had No Name.

The Drama Club provides opportunities for all students to participate. Brighton Public School is fairly unique in the area. Very few other elementary schools are able to put on large performances for its community. The benefits to the students go far beyond acting. Life lessons such as teamwork, patience, discipline and communication skills are developed as well.

This year’s $2,500 grant is being used to purchase curtains between the wings, creating a safe and effective divider between the audience and the cast and crew. These curtains will allow for easy movement backstage, hiding those activities from the audience, enhancing the experience for the actors, the crew and the audience alike.

Spring Valley Public School – $2,500

Spring Valley Public School is fortunate to have an instrumental music program, having a dedicated music room and an incredible teacher who is able to provide instruction to students on a wide range of instruments. But the instruments that the school currently has are old and getting older, and are becoming too costly to repair. And there currently are not enough instruments to meet the needs of the students wanting to learn to play a musical instrument.

So, to address both the quality of the current instruments, as well as to increase the number of instruments available, the Brian Todd Memorial Community Fund is providing a grant of $2,500, with which Spring Valley Public School will purchase as many as ten instruments, including keyboards, trumpets, flutes and clarinets. This will enable the school to re-establish its school
concert band, using updated music also purchased with this grant.

Spring Valley Public School students will be well prepared to participate in music programs at the secondary school level and in the community. A strong music program forms part of the identity of a school and forges connections both within the school and between the school and other parts of the wider community.

Smithfield Public School – $2,500

In 2019, Smithfield Public School embarked on an ambitious plan to revitalize its playground, a plan that will take many years and significant funding to achieve. With a design plan in hand, and with the strong support of Smithfield School’s parents, it set out to create a space that would not only enhance the playground for recreational use, but it would also address educational and environmental objectives as well.

The Brian Todd Memorial Community Fund has embraced this project from the outset. Beginning small, we provided funding for a willow tunnel in 2020. Following a one-year hiatus brought on by COVID-19, a grant was provided to develop a hang-out grove and outdoor classroom setting, incorporating several maple trees purchased with its 2022 grant. Part of that grant was also used to create a “bee-friendly” garden, as well as a vegetable garden, both tended by students.

Our 2023 grant is to be used to construct a wooden pergola shade structure. Unfortunately, that structure has not yet been built, pending School Board engineering approvals. However, Smithfield Public School’s staff, students and volunteers are moving ahead undaunted and determined to complete its vision of a playground that will be enjoyed by students and Brighton residents alike for many years to come.

This year’s grant of $2,500 will support the purchase and installation of more willow tunnels. Once they are in place, musical elements such as a chime fence, aluminum gongs and a metallophone will be installed to complete the Willow Walk.

East Northumberland Secondary School – $3,000

The East Northumberland Secondary School’s Yearbook Club is on a mission. It wants to curate, capture, and archive current and future ENSS history. Members of the Yearbook Club attend countless school activities – sports events, school dances, club activities, and much more – to take pictures, both formal and candid, as a way to preserve the high school experiences through imagery.

As we all know, most photo archives are in electronic form these days. But ENSS wants to make a return to creating “old school, hard cover yearbooks”, like the ones it used to create prior to Covid19. But Yearbook Club activities come with challenges. Many students use their own cameras and cell phones to capture these images. However, not all Yearbook Club members have access to such equipment. To address this challenge, the ENSS Yearbook Club has asked the Brian Todd Memorial Community Fund to support its purchases of photographic equipment – equipment that will be available to all Yearbook Club students to use.

The ENSS grant application goes on to state: “This project is important to East Northumberland Secondary School students and staff as well as the greater Brighton community, as yearbooks are a crucial keepsake that hold the memories, spirit, and triumphs of current and future Blue Dragons.”

The Brian Todd Memorial Community Fund is pleased to present a grant of $3,000 to ENSS to support the purchase of photographic equipment for its Yearbook Club.

2023

$11,500 in grants awarded

Spring Valley Public School – $2,500

A 3-D printer has been purchased with this grant. “Students can use their spatial sense skills and 3-D design software to use coding and 3-D modelling technology to develop models they can try out on some real-world and virtual problems”, says teacher Derek Pemberton. “They can make many different types of physical constructs, including fidgets, math manipulatives, science tools, and much more. With these flexible options, the entire school and our surrounding community can benefit from the skills students learn and the things they can make and design.”

Colborne Public School – $1,500

This grant will enable the school to purchase an aeroponic indoor tower garden and related accessories. With this, and a planned outdoor vegetable garden, students will enjoy a full “seed-to-table” learning experience. “We are excited to offer our students a rich hands-on learning experience that will benefit them in their future.” -Lynda Westlake, Principal

Brighton Public School – $2,500

Basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, volleyballs and even bean bags and rubber chickens were purchased with this grant. “Our students are thrilled to have some new sporting equipment!” says Principal Andrea Hunt-Schmoll

Smithfield Public School – $2,500

This school is making significant progress in its playground “make-over” project. Adding to trees and gardens that have already been planted, this grant will be used to build a wooden pergola shade structure over an existing sandbox and outdoor classroom benches.

East Northumberland Secondary School – $2,500

The 2023 production of the musical “Matilda” proved once again that the ENSS drama students are exceptionally talented. This grant will help to ensure that future productions continue to display the high level of professionalism that ENSS has become known for. “This grant will allow our students and staff to benefit from costly and otherwise unattainable purchases that help to heighten the theatrical experience for our actors, crew, and audience alike!” -Paul Hussey, Drama teacher and Director ENSS Musicals

2022

$17,100 in grants awarded

East Northumberland Secondary School – $9,600

A grant of $4600 was spent on new weights for the recently-renovated student weight room. “This equipment will enhance the training of varsity athletes, gym classes and any students and staff who wish to participate in weight training. The students and staff of ENSS are grateful to the Brian Todd Memorial Community Fund for its support,” says Anne Falla, ENSS teacher and coach.

The Culinary Department and Music Department each received a grant of $2,500 to support these important programs.

Smithfield Public School – $2,500

Smithfield Public School has embarked on an ambitious project that, when finished, will see the outside transformed into an active playground and teaching area. This year, the Grade 7 and 8 students used this grant to purchase and plant several maple trees to form a circular “hangout grove”/outdoor classroom.

Brighton Public School – $2,500

With an objective to enhance its drama production capabilities, this grant was used to purchase scripts, props and costumes, a short throw projector and stage stairs. According to teacher Nadine Romard, “ Annual plays put on by our Grade 4 to Grade 8 students gives them a chance to grow their confidence and to interact with students outside of their social and grade level.”

Spring Valley Public School – $2,500

This grant was used to spruce up the entrance to the school through the construction of a wooden “Bulldog” ( school mascot ) feature wall and the purchase of new plaques that will feature the names of former and future students who excel in various academic, athletic and good works activities. “ These plaques will serve as an inspiration to all those students who will eventually be in Grade 8 and possibly win an award themselves,” says teacher Derek Pemberton.

2021

Because of the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on school activities, the Brian Todd Memorial Community Fund did not award annual grants to Brighton schools. Instead, it had provided face masks with each school’s mascot printed on the front. A total of 705 masks were given to all elementary school students attending Brighton, Smithfield and Spring Valley Public Schools.

School Breakfast/Nutritional Programs – $2,000

To ensure that no students in any of our public schools go without a nutritional break, a $500 grant was provided to each of our local public schools – Brighton PS., Smithfield PS., Spring Valley PS., and ENSS.

2020

$6,000 in grants awarded

Brighton Public School – $1,000

This grant will be used to purchase drama rights and scripts, set pieces and costumes to support the school’s drama production activities.

Spring Valley Public School – $1,000

This grant supported the purchase of portable outdoor soccer and volleyball nets.

Smithfield Public School – $1,000

This grant will support the purchase of a “willow tunnel” as part of an overall playground enhancement initiative.

East Northumberland Secondary School – $3,000

A $2,000 grant was awarded to support the purchase of back panels for the stage that serve as a concealment for the pit band during drama performances.

A $1,000 grant was awarded to support the purchase of “throwing implements” ( shot put, discus, javelin ) for student track and field athletes.

2019

$6,000 in grants awarded

Smithfield Public School – $1,000

A class set of bucket drums were purchased with this grant. They are available to all students, but are specifically encouraged for students facing difficulty focusing. Researchers link the ability to keep a beat to reading and language skills. “Our students will benefit from having some instrumental experience before heading off to ENSS.” ( Lisa White, Principal)

Brighton Public School – $1,000

Multiple sets of outdoor games ( Kan-Jam game sets ) and indoor games ( chess sets ) will be purchased with this grant, to provide opportunities for structured play experiences .

Spring Valley Public School – $1,000

The grant is being used to purchase a Sun Shade Sail. These sails will be used to provide shade for outside activities and events, including outdoor classes. “ We have very little shade in our schoolyard, and it is difficult to be outside as the temperature rises”. ( Derek Pemberton, Teacher )

East Northumberland Secondary School – $1,000

This grant is being used to update the collection of sports photographs in the Terry Fox foyer. Photographs of athletic achievement by individual students and teams will be displayed in custom frames and mounted on an enlarged wall space to showcase the many successes of past, present and future ENSS students.

East Northumberland Secondary School – $1,000

This grant was used to purchase a high-quality, durable ping pong table. “Playing recreational table tennis provides a social outlet for many students and contributes to building communication and social skills.” ( Aidan Hussey, Deputy Prime Minister, ENSS )

East Northumberland Secondary School – $1,000

This grant will be used to support the construction of a memorial walkway at the entrance of the school. “The ENSS Walkway/Garden of Hope will honour school and community members affected by cancer and provide a symbol of hope that cancer will one day be cured. Each brick will have a story behind it, of someone who fell victim to the disease or is a cancer survivor. The walkway/garden will create a story and a timeless legacy at ENSS.” ( Nancy Wilson, Teacher/Project Advisor)

2018

$5,250 in grants awarded

East Northumberland Secondary School (Brighton Leo’s) – $1,000

With this initial grant, the Leo’s Club ( the youth arm of Brighton Lions) will embark on refurbishing the school’s inner courtyard, installing picnic tables, weeding and re-planting flowerbeds and overall general cleanup. “When completed, it will provide a place for staff and students to eat lunch, provide outdoor classroom opportunities, and create a calm place for anybody to go and enjoy outdoors.” (Sarah Pennington, Leo’s President)

East Northumberland Secondary School (Indigenous Wall Mural) – $1,250

Working with ENSS art students, Indigenous artist A.J. Vandrie instructed students in the painting of a wall mural that depicts the 7 Sacred Teachings of our Indigenous/First Nations peoples. This mural will be prominently displayed in the ENSS library.

Spring Valley Public School – $1,000

This grant will be used to purchase a portable sound system for use in school assemblies, music, drama and dance classes and special events. “This project touches everyone in our school community and will benefit all of us.” (Derek Pemberton, Teacher)

Brighton Public School – $1,000

This grant will be used to purchase filaments for 3D printers and other computer components related to 3D printing technology. “It will break down the steps of computer coding into simple steps and allow students to feel a sense of accomplishment in producing from scratch 3D-generated key chains as gifts to school volunteers.” (Todd Norris, Teacher)

Smithfield Public School – $1,000

This grant will be used to purchase a new soundboard, cables and microphones to enhance the quality of the students’ musical and drama productions. “ The students at Smithfield Public School love music and it shows !” (Andrea Kritzer, Teacher)