Vic West Elementary Seaquarium

Our names are Aaren Madden and Tori Sinclair, and we write on behalf of the Parent Advisory Council at Victoria West Elementary School – one of the few true neighbourhood schools!
The staff, students and PAC at Vic West are all very proud of our small school. We are a diverse group from all walks of life, and we deeply value strong community and inclusion within and outside the school’s boundaries. Many of our families are of limited income, and as such, we work with a limited amount of resources with which to fund the many important activities that bring learning experiences to another level.
One of the most beloved programs at our school is the Seaquarium, or Salish Sea Tank. This large tank, situated just inside the main doors, is full of local sea life. The Seaquarium provides a rich opportunity for students to engage in formal and informal learning. It also has a wonderful calming effect while celebrating the vibrant local coastal ecology in our school, even on the most dreary winter days. From World Fisheries Trust literature, here is an overview of the program:

“Seaquaria in Schools” is a program provided by World Fisheries Trust, a registered charity, in partnership with WestWind SeaLab Supplies. Aquaria that have been purchased by the schools are stocked with local marine organisms and bring captivating, ever-changing marine ecosystems into the students' everyday lives. The goal of the program is to use nature education to increase connections between students and their community, local ecosystems, and enhanced learning. Targeted programs are developed that address specific age groups and learning styles, extend learning to the real world, assist in the development of life-long learning skills, and provide increased leadership opportunities."

The PAC is proud to fund this important ongoing program. However, as mentioned, our resources are very limited. We are looking for local donations to ensure that, year after year, the Seaquarium can continue to educate and delight all students and visitors.
We hope you will consider supporting the Seaquarium at Vic West School.  Yearly Seaquarium costs are $1470 and include regular maintenance and education supports.  We are looking to create a fund that would support our Seaquarium for years to come!  This project means the world to the kids of our school!  Please help to fund the Seaquarium to assure it is available for years to come!