A Personal Message from Karen L. Jurjevich

Happy spring and what a joy it is to see everything in bloom at last. Welcome to the second issue of Fuel their Future: An Update on Impact, a bi-monthly newsletter to share donor stories and their essential impact on our students' experience. 

I’m always inspired to see the range of ways our community gives back. You’ll read about our Class of ’18 Reunion Reps talking about how they wrote notes of congratulation to returning alums as Junior School students. Now they’re relishing their own role as fundraisers and friend-raisers for our June festivities. And you’ll be heartened to read about a grad who’s tackling climate-change solutions, and how the Innovation Centre & Studio Theatre (iCAST) will really boost our commitment to producing more grads like her.

Speaking of iCAST, we've seen great momentum and unprecedented generosity towards this incredible game-changer of a project this year. Below are a few comments from our community members about why stepping up to support iCAST is so important to them.

“We are thrilled with the environment Branksome strives to create for its students. We expect Simone will fully benefit from iCAST through her most meaningful years at Branksome, engaging with the new facility to find inspiration and enthusiasm for innovation thinking."

-— Shelby Austin and Graeme Cooper (Simone, Grade 4)

“Branksome continues to trailblaze in our country, and we contributed towards our students’ bright future. Through Sofia’s eyes, we see how special Branksome is, and we watch her curiosity grow. We are grateful to be part of this community. We know our journey here is just beginning!”

—Tara and Tristan Armstrong (Sofia, SK)

"We are very excited about iCAST as a hub for in-person collaboration and interdisciplinary learning. Our hope is that it will help the future leaders and innovators within Branksome to experience the joy of learning and exploration, while developing the skills required for the changing world that awaits them."

— Beth Corcoran and Jon Newton (Grace, Grade 8) 

Siena IANNI-PALARCHIO’20 (right) got her STEM start with Branksome's Robotics Club.

Alum Wins Prizes for Lake Detoxification Solutions

Siena IANNI-PALARCHIO’20 is the daughter of Branksome's very own Michael, who is Head, Innovation & Strategic Projects. The third-year student at the University of Western Ontario’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Program credits Branksome with instilling her love of STEM, and knows iCAST will light that path for even more students.

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Michael Ianni-Palarchio knows iCAST will scale up access to STEM learning school wide.

Elevating a Commitment to STEM Education with iCAST

As a former entrepreneur and “tech guy” himself, Michael Ianni-Palarchio is acutely aware of Branksome’s need to propel its focus on STEM education to the next level. “Challenges to traditional thinking have never appeared faster. It’s critical to have our students prepared to drive innovation.”

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Leading the Way: Making iCAST a Reality

We’d like to make a special acknowledgment of our Campaign Cabinet members who are working with us to help bring iCAST to life for our students: 

Honorary Chair: Don Guloien Campaign Chairs: Claire and Tyler MacNamara

Cabinet Members: Clara Angotti, Tristan Armstrong, Michael and Julia Bratty, Harry Culham,

CK PURKS Hoffler’80, Eva Lau, Monique MORAN’94, Christie Love Thomas and Jeffery Thomas, Jamie Scarlett and Vanessa Yeung, Heather Simmons

Co-Reunion Reps Gwyneth RICHARDSON and Alexa LAENGERT show off their Class of '18 grad wear.

Thank You for Supporting Well-Being

The Class of ’86 Mental Health Initiative funded a screening of the documentary Angst, part of the Branksome Well-Being Series, in March. Read more about Angst here. 

Carolyn HELBRONNER'79

BE IT RE:SOLVED

Great Debaters

As part of our donor-funded partnership with the Munk Debates, Re:Solved, an unprecedented worldwide online public speaking competition, there were over 100 hundred video submissions and 12 Branksome students have made it to the elimination round of 32. The top four students will compete in the finals in late May.

TRIP OF A LIFETIME 

BH Asia Exchange

More than 100 Grade 9 students had the trip of a lifetime, traveling to BH Asia in South Korea, where they were welcomed by friends they’d made on the first part of the exchange here last fall. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, students who may have struggled to afford the trip were able to attend! Read the full story here. 

GRADE 6 CLASS LEADERSHIP

Legacy of Support



Our donors are stepping up to support social-emotional learning. Thanks to donations to last year's Grade 6 Legacy Fund, our Junior School has purchased self-regulation materials. i.e. weighted blankets and resistance bands. This year’s class will continue the tradition of SEL support with workshops, outdoor-learning materials and more. 

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