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19 · Wednesday, January 18, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Every year at Christmas MacLachlan College conducts a fundraiser to help less fortunate families. This past holiday MacLachlan kicked off a new campaign Build-a -School Change-a-Life, to help build a school in a village in the Dominican Republic. So many families head to a sunny beach at Christmas or other holiday times. When Lisa Duranleau, MacLachlan's Executive Director last travelled to Puerto Plata she made the decision to help build a school in a small impoverished village she had visited on several occasions. Mrs. Duranleau realized that these children did in fact need the donations of clothing and books she would bring, but what these kids really needed was a good education that could make real change in their lives. Many of these village children do not go to school because the school is too far away and their parents have no means to get them there. Research shows that a school brings a community together and helps families change their lives for the better. MacLachlan College teaches the true power of giving MacLachlan is working together as a community to help improve the future lives of these Dominican children. By going beyond raising funds and by adopting this community, MacLachlan's school-wide initiative will not only help change the lives of the families in this village. This initiative will also change how MacLachlan students view their world and empower them to make a difference in the world. The school plans to develop a lasting mutually beneficial relationship with this community. Initial plans include a service trip that will give students firsthand experience in building the school, organizing a program where the school's teachers teach the village teachers and setting up internet communications between both schools. Since its kickoff in mid December the Build-a-School Change-a-Life campaign has raised $7000 and ongoing in-school activities will continue to keep the campaign going. If A school brings a community together and helps families change their lives for the better; this is exactly what MacLachlan College is doing through their Builda-School Change-a-Life campaign. Pictured above, Head of School Mr. Piening and Executive Director Lisa Duranleau, you would like to donate to this campaign go to the school's homepage and click on the Build-a-School icon that links to the YouTube video produced by the school. Visit MacLachlan's Open House on Saturday January 21st from 10 am to 2 pm to find out why their parents say, "the school is committed to giving children the BEST education possible and is a model of excellence for other schools". MacLachlan College is a co-educational school from PreKindergarten to grade 12, Oakville's only IB World School offering the Primary Years program. The school is located at 337 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, www.maclachlan.ca , 905844-0372 ext. 235. The Educational Journey of a Lifetime An Oakville Day School for Girls Preschool to Grade 12 Open House Saturday, January 21st 10:00 a.m. ­ 2:00 p.m. Busing available. See website for details. If I need to get up and move around a bit, I don't get in trouble. - Emma, 8 If you have a child bursting with energy, we understand. "We did jumping jacks in math class." After struggling for four years, I can read! - Thomas, 9 Canada's most dedicated Direct Instruction School. - Carlos, 9 Positive reinforcement goes a long way to support student success. We think gym class and physical activity is just as vital as math class. I earn tickets when I listen well. - Steven, 11 We get 3 recesses a day and 3 gym classes a week! - Griffin, 6 Our kids think differently and so do we. Our classes are small, our ideas are big. Big thinking in a small class ­ Perfect! Canadian Accredited Independent Schools St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School 1080 Linbrook Road, Oakville, Ontario L6J 2L1 Tel: 905-845-2386 · Fax: 905-845-4799 Email: info@smls.on.ca · Website: www.smls.on.ca Charitable Registration # 11919 1963 RR0001 2250 Sheridan Garden Drive, Oakville 905.829.4226 www.wildwoodacademy.com