More than 200 people gathered at Highlands Junior High School to officially launch the Edmonton Public Schools Foundation.

The event launched what we hope to achieve: preparing children for the 21st century and ensuring Edmonton’s most vulnerable students are ready for learning and life.

The school was abuzz: the Highlands Cheer Team performed stunts in hallways while students greeted and took guests to visit classrooms in action and meet community partners.

An important part of our program was unveiling the Foundation’s community-friendly logo. It truly reflects the heart and soul of the Board’s overarching priority — to raise friends and funds to support early learning intervention and student success.

Highland’s student Haley Judge did an amazing job of emceeing the celebration, which featured performances by Virginia Park School Choir students and the Lillian Osborne School Musical Theatre Group. Other highlights included introducing the Foundation’s Board of Governors and listening to the rap song produced and presented by Kuriny Chuol, also a Highlands’ student.