News Release
5/1/2018
Markham, ON – Grade 8 and Grade 12 students will have prom and graduation attire, thanks to Bur Oak’s Closet and Maple’s Closet.
These events, which launched in April, aim to provide a graduation dress, suit or accessories to every York Region student in need. To date over 500 students have benefitted from this program.
At Bur Oak S.S., participants receive a loot bag with a hair appliance, hair products and skin products donated by local shops and vendors. This year, the students at Bur Oak’s Closet gave out 107 dresses and, when available, shoes and jewelry.
“We have been overwhelmed by the number of donations we have received from our community. We have a team of Bur Oak fashion associates managing the Bur Oak Closet like a boutique. It has been great as they’ve made sure all the dresses are functional, clean and appropriate. They’ve also sized, sorted and hung the garments on racks,” said Laurel Dodham, teacher at Bur Oak S.S.
At Maple H.S., more than 50 students attended the launch event in April, and students still have until the end of May to select an outfit for graduation or prom. Maple H.S. received many donations, but they are still in need of shoes, shirts and dress pants, suits (smaller sizes), wristlets, belts and ties.
At Maple’s Closet there are courses and activities on etiquette, make-up application, jewelry making and hairstyling. The program is supported by the entire school. The Intensive Program teachers and students manage donations and gifts, and organize the activities. Aesthetics students support with the hairstyling and make-up application. The technology classes build temporary change rooms for the participants. The yearbook and photography students take pictures and run the photo booth and the student council helps manage the day. In addition, trustees and community volunteers support with event set-up and sorting donations.
Maple’s Closet serves schools in the west of York Region and Bur Oak’s Closet serves schools in the east.
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.
For more information and for photos contact: