For Immediate Release - September 29, 2020

The last year has been a very challenging time for students, staff, parents/guardians and community members as we have navigated through the changes brought on by COVID-19.

At the Upper Grand District School Board, we value mentally healthy schools, classrooms and work sites. This year, in order to further help support the mental health and well-being of UGDSB students and staff, we are introducing The Umbrella Project to schools and offices.

The Umbrella Project, founded by Dr. Jen Forristal, will have monthly themes, activities and curriculum links to support students and staff to focus on wellness.  There will also be monthly columns in school newsletters to support parents and guardians to build these skills alongside their child/ren.

The symbol of an umbrella is used to represent the ways in which our skill sets can protect us from and help us work through some of the stressors we are faced with. Just like the weather, there will be calm days and stormy days. Since we can’t control the weather, we will help ensure that we all have a strong umbrella to help us weather the storm.

Monthly themes will be posted to the UGDSB website starting in October and concluding in June. October will be used as an introductory month. Information will also be shared externally through social media. Follow #UGUmbrella for the latest updates about The Umbrella Project.

About the Upper Grand District School Board

The Upper Grand District School Board serves approximately 35,000 students through 65 elementary schools and 11 secondary schools in the City of Guelph, County of Wellington and County of Dufferin. The UGDSB covers the ancestral and traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Six Nations of the Grand River, and Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territories. Student success is the goal of over 4,000 dedicated teaching and support staff who are aided by the contributions of caring volunteers and community partners.

Learn, Lead, Inspire…Together

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