How WBCF and Fort McMurray Public School Division are empowering the next generation

In the heart of Northern Alberta, the Fort McMurray Public School Division (FMPSD) has been pioneering a shift in educational practice, moving towards a system that prioritizes the emotional well-being of both students and teachers. At the forefront of this change is The Regulated Classroom©, funded by the Wood Buffalo Community Foundation (WBCF).

Mellanie Fraser serves as the Mental Health Supervisor for the FMPSD and provides clinical supervision for 21 school-based counsellors. Her role is unique to Fort McMurray and was born out of necessity.

In addition to her supervisory responsibilities, she collaborates with all 16 FMPSD schools, providing families with support through a mental health lens, advocating on their behalf and coordinating referrals to appropriate community resources as needed.

“There is a pressing need for the right supports, as schools have increasingly become central hubs for addressing a broad range of student needs—from mental health services to connecting families with vital community resources,” says Fraser. “Schools are consistently involved in these situations, which makes sense given their deep connection to and understanding of the communities they serve.”

Funded by a WBCF Community Grant, The Regulated Classroom© comes from a place of science to support educators to manage and regulate their own nervous system to better support students in their learning.

“It was developed by Emily Read Daniels and is grounded in the understanding that students cannot be regulated unless the adults around them are also regulated,” says Fraser. “It emphasizes teacher self-regulation as the foundation for creating a safe, attuned, and effective learning environment.”

WBCF’s funding brought Read Daniels to Fort McMurray to train teachers, provide resource books, practical tools, and "microdoses" of regulation that could be easily integrated into the school day to support the classroom.

“The impact has been profound,” says Fraser. “Teachers have become more self-aware of their own stress responses and how these responses affect their students. They understand, with the backing of neuroscience, that a dysregulated teacher cannot effectively teach, and students cannot effectively learn.”

It’s led to a decrease in disruptive behaviors, a reduction in student anxiety, and an increase in connectedness within the classroom.

“Teachers who have embraced The Regulated Classroom© feel more empowered and equipped to create a safe and supportive learning environment, establishing a positive tone from the start of the school year,” says Fraser.

The success of The Regulated Classroom© has had a ripple effect throughout FMPSD and the wider community.

“One school in FMPSD is on their way to becoming a Regulated School. They have been given a great opportunity to work with Emily, to train staff and support them throughout the school year," says Fraser.

The project has also spurred collaborations, including the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Autism Society, as well as the Fort McMurray Catholic School Division, leading to initiatives like parent workshops on understanding and supporting regulation.

“One of the biggest things I have learned in mental health is that nothing can happen unless there is connectedness. We need to feel like we have a common goal, to help our community thrive and grow,” says Fraser.

“By equipping teachers and students with the tools to regulate their emotions and build strong relationships, the project is breaking negative cycles and empowering the next generation to make better decisions.”

Learn more about WBCF Community Grants to get your application ready for the next funding cycle, which opens later this summer.

Watch the podcast: Your Mental Health Matters-Guest Emily Reed Daniels Creator of The Regulated Classroom

WBCF Announces the Recipients of the 2021 Community Grants

(Fort McMurray, AB – September 24, 2021) The Wood Buffalo Community Foundation (WBCF) has selected the recipients of $200,000 in Community Grant funding.

This funding will support valuable community projects that are needed in the areas of Mental Health or Crisis Supports; Community Connections and Reducing Isolation. Local charities and community groups were invited to apply this past May.

This year’s grant cycle marks the fourth round of grant funding issued by the WBCF. The 2021 grant recipients are:

Organization and Program / Project:

  • Pastew Place for Pre-Treatment / Client Coordinator

  • The Hub Family Resource Centre for Rural Community Outreach / Hub on Wheels

  • St. Aidan’s House Society for Senior Outreach & Advocate Program

  • King’s Kids Promotions Outreach Ministries for Great Bannock Bake-Off Event and Community Connection Pilot Program (Fort Chipewyan)

 “COVID-19 highlights the need for community support for mental health, addictions and crisis support, rural community outreach, and community connection projects. The outcomes of these programs and initiatives will have a huge impact within Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo. WBCF would like to thank all our donors and community partners in making this funding possible.” Gaylene Weidlich, Executive Director, WBCF.

Founded in 2017, WBCF has provided over $1.3 million to social profits in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo. WBCF strengthens the social fabric and quality of life in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo by forging relationships to match interests to needs.

Wood Buffalo Community Foundation announces nine local recipients of 2020 Community Grant Funding

(Fort McMurray, AB – October 15, 2020) WBCF has selected nine local community groups as the recipients of nearly $300,000 in community grant funding. This is a large increase from last year as Intact Insurance and BrokerLink, through Intact Financial Corporation, donated $100,000 to the Wood Buffalo Community Foundation Rapid Response Fund. 

This year’s funding will help support valuable community projects that are needed in the areas of Mental Health, Covid-19 Support and Environmental. Local charities and community groups were invited to apply this past June.

This year’s grant cycle marks the third round of grant funding issued by the WBCF. The 2020 grant recipients are:

Organization and Program / Project:

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wood Buffalo for Community Focused Mentoring Services

  • Habitat for Humanity Wood Buffalo for Energy Efficiency in Affordable Housing

  • St. Aidan’s Society for Senior Outreach & Advocate Program

  • Waypoint’s Community Services Association for Family Violence Outreach - Pandemic Supports

  • Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta for Reaching SMART

  • KidSport Wood Buffalo for Return to Sport

  • McMan Youth Family & Community Services Association for NEAFAN Rural Bus Tickets

  • Willow Lake Metis and The Resilience Institute for Stories of Resilience - Bison & Adapting to Climate Change

  • Centre of Hope for COH Outreach Mobile Service Unit

Since being founded in 2017, the WBCF has been building its endowed funds to help support and strengthen the social profit sector in the Wood Buffalo Region. Part of this support comes in the form of strategic grant giving, which helps to provide financial assistance for community projects in the areas of health, education, arts, culture, social services, sports and recreation, the environment and other emerging community needs.

The WBCF is a registered Canadian charity. Our mission is to enhance quality of life in our region by supporting community members and organizations in building long term, mutually beneficial relationships between donors and grantees. We provide grants to improve and enhance the stability and sustainability of the community.

-30-

WOOD BUFFALO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION HOLDS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

(Fort McMurray, AB - June 23, 2020) Wood Buffalo Community Foundation (WBCF) held its 2020 AGM virtually on June 23, 2020. The Board elected three new Directors, confirmed terms for nine current Directors, received audited financial statements for the period ended December 31, 2019 and appointed its public accountant for the financial period ending December 31, 2020. The audited financial statements can be found here

Accomplishments outlined at the AGM included:

  • Raising $1,000,000 in donations in 2019, including matching funds from the Suncor Energy Foundation, bringing endowed funds to almost $3,000,000

  • Completion of second granting cycle distributing local grants of $200,000 to five organizations 

  • Recruiting five new board members in 2019 

“We are very much in our infancy as a foundation with this being only our second annual report,” said Tony Mankowski, Chair of the WBCF Board. “I am pleased to say we are progressing in our mission: To enhance the quality of life in our region through grants and partnerships that improve the capacity and sustainability of our community.”

The WBCF is a registered Canadian charity. Our mission is to enhance quality of life in ourregion by supporting community members and organizations in building long term, mutuallybeneficial relationships between donors and grantees. We provide grants to improve andenhance the stability and sustainability of the community.

For more information, please visit wbcfoundation.ca


-30-

Media inquiries:

media.wbcf@gmail.com

manager.wbcf@gmail.com