They met with the principal and vice-principal and learned of special issues at the school. The 250 students in kindergarten to grade 7 are mostly from lower income families. For many, home life is unstable. There may be a lack of positive role models. They may not be motivated to attend school.
Families move often, so many students come and go throughout the year.
Principal Craik Wotherspoon notes that one year as many as 800 students came through the school. Low self-esteem is a problem for many of the children. In one of their first projects, Wascana volunteers gave kids special attention by participating in the breakfast program at school. The next project required a little training. They are now qualified to tell or read stories to children of all grades.