EMSB elementary school gets prestigious grant to bolster library

Students at St. Dorothy Elementary in Montreal’s east end started their last day of school with a cup-stacking competition.

READ MORE: Creative students from EMSB, LBPSB invited to take part in writing contest

Teachers pointed out that just about everyone was looking forward to summer vacation – but there was one surprise in store before that last bell.

At the end of the cup-stacking, the school’s principal, Sandra Léveillé, revealed the Indigo Books and Music Foundation had chosen St. Dorothy Elementary to receive a $20,000 grant to upgrade its book collection.

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Currently, the school has about two books per pupil; the grant would raise that number to seven for each student.

“Right now, we only have an annual budget of about $1,700 [for books] a year,” Léveillé told Global News.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Right now, we only have an annual budget of about $1,700 [for books] a year," Léveillé told Global News.

With the grant, which lasts for three years, the school plans on adding about 1,500 volumes.

As part of the application process, the school’s students put together a video to explain why they thought they should be selected for the grant.

READ MORE: Ninety-one per cent of parents satisfied: EMSB parents survey

“I love reading books because they teach you stuff,” one young student stated.

Across Canada, only 30 schools are chosen to receive the grant.