News Release
12/7/2017
Aurora, ON – Dr. G.W. Williams Secondary School hosted the Community Class Dance-a-Thon on December 1, 2017. With the help of approximately 200 students from 15 York Region District School Board high schools, over $8,300 was raised in partnership with the Children’s Miracle Network, the fundraising division of SickKids Hospital.
This was the largest Dance-a-Thon in Ontario, both in terms of numbers of participants and dollars raised for the Children’s Miracle Network. Participants of the event included students from the developmentally delayed and autism classes, in addition to YRDSB junior and senior mild intellectual disability intensive classes.
“The staff in our Community Classes thought it was important to donate to the SickKids Hospital as many students in our Community Classes have had their lives touched by the work done at SickKids. In addition, they wanted to host an event that made our students feel like part of a team, as their involvement demonstrated that everyone can make a difference,” said Dr. G.W. Williams S.S. principal Christopher Hilmer.
This was the first time a Community Class Dance-a-Thon was held in YRDSB, and all high schools with Community Classes were invited. The funds raised came from students, staff and community members. Some schools also held raffles and sold items in order to raise money. Moreover, local businesses donated some items such freshly baked cookies, pizza, utensils, napkins, bottled water and decorations.
York Region District School Board is the third largest school district in Ontario with over 123,000 students in 177 elementary schools and 33 secondary schools. York Region students consistently perform above average in provincial testing and the Board is one of the top achievers in Ontario. For more information about the York Region District School Board, please visit the Board website and follow @YRDSB on Twitter.
*Photographs available upon request
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