A Brampton private school that was on the brink of closing unless it raised $80,000 by the end of the month has reached its goal thanks to donations from the community and Toronto Raptors player Scottie Barnes. (Courtesy: Google Maps; Polkadots Playland and Montessori Academy)
In a race against the clock, a Brampton private school facing closure has hit its $80,000 goal just in time, thanks to a wave of community support and a major donation from Toronto Raptors star Scottie Barnes.
Last week, Now Toronto reported that Polkadots Playland and Montessori Academy had been fighting to keep its doors open as a result of growing financial debt.
The school, which provides programs for children in pre-kindergarten to Grade six, including for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), had been struggling to financially recover after it had been closed for a period following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Polkadots had until Mar. 31 to pay off its $90,000 debt to its landlord to stay open, and launched a Go Fund Me campaign to try to save the school.
According to Polkadots Principal Josette Drummond, after the story was reported by Now Toronto and the Brandon Gonez Show, the school was able to reach its $80,000 fundraising goal before next week’s deadline.
“I was literally floored. And just the wave of every feeling of relief and joy, and all of those things came over me. I did my happy dance, and the staff that was here with me, and we all celebrated,” she said.
Drummond said that although the online fundraising was crucial to save Polkadots from closure, the participation of parents, who did what they could to help the school stay afloat, was also essential, and they were very relieved to learn the happy news.
“Parents came in and volunteered their time. Parents got on the phone and called to book parties, just to sort of rev up business for us. They themselves gave over and above what they really needed.”
“The sense of community, the sense of connectedness that I feel… We are truly a family, and that joy to be able to just continue what we’ve been doing and what they appreciate and value so much has just been the best feeling for everybody,” she added.
Besides receiving donations from several contributors online, Drummond revealed that she received a “generous offline donation” from Toronto Raptors shooting guard Scottie Barnes, after he learned about the school’s situation.
“I got that phone call from someone on his team, and she just expressed that he came across the story, and he was moved by it, and wants to help… beyond words, like a literal miracle,” she said.
According to the principal, Barnes’ donation was crucial to reach the goal and save the school from closure, and his team even took steps to make sure that she got the money before her landlord’s Mar. 31 deadline.
“I think it’s a testament to who he is as a person,” she said. “This is definitely something he didn’t have to do. So, the fact that he not only felt for us, but put actions behind that feeling and such significant actions at that, I think, is really just a testament of the remarkable young man he is.”
WHAT’S NEXT FOR POLKADOTS?
The donations received by Polkadots should prevent the school from having to close next week and even keep it afloat for the next few months.
Since asking for help online to keep the school open, Drummond said some business owners and managers have reached out to her and offered support, along with Barnes’ team that have committed to be available for support.
“I think having kind of good, solid people around me, advisors around me that are able to offer their expertise, I think is going to be really important moving forward,” she said.
Moving forward, the principal anticipates having to make certain decisions to keep the business side of things moving, such as moving to a more affordable space or having to turn parents down for individual accommodations or subsidies.
“Sometimes maybe shifting gears and finding a different space, or being open to the changes to allow things to really operate in a better way, fiscally and just making those hard decisions.”
Drummond said that Polkadots is currently offering programs to neurotypical and neurodivergent children, including those with ASD, and features therapy on site, a playground, and integrated spaces for special events and birthday parties.
