An Edmonton mother is speaking out after she feels her concerns about her son's school bus experiences went unresolved.

The first day back to class for students at Queen Elizabeth High School isn't until Sept. 1 but on Wednesday, some students who are both new to the school and to Canada got a helping hand as they prepare for the school year.

Students and staff at Edmonton's Queen Elizabeth High School were honoured at a surprise assembly Tuesday when they learned they are the first of 10 winners of this year's national Superpower Your School contest, an initiative put together by Earth Day Canada and Staples Canada.