Board of Education Commitment 2020-2025

 

SCHOOL DISTRICT 84 – NEWS & EVENTS

GRAND OPENING CHILDREN’S HEALTH HUB

On Wednesday, September 13, 2017, we were pleased to celebrate the Grand Opening of Children’s Health Hub in Gold River. The Hub is proudly funded by the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island and School District 84.

Jessica Bell, Director of Development, and Melanie Tromp Hoover, Communications & Marketing Manager, both from the Foundation, made the drive up from Victoria to be with us. As well, Anita Brassard, Community Investment Manager (Central/North Island), our local representative, attended and helped out by setting up and cutting delicious pieces of cake for all of our guests.

Lawrence Tarasoff, Superintendent and Secretary Treasurer of School District 84, acted as the emcee. Kathy Kennedy, School District 84’s board chair, was gracious in her words of congratulations. Carol Donaldson stood with her granddaughter, Ashyia, as Ashyia cut the ribbon to officially open Children’s Health Hub. Mayor of Gold River, Brad Unger, was also in attendance.

The opening of the Children’s Health Hub also highlighted how early access to health services shapes lifelong wellbeing, including oral health. Healthy teeth play a quiet but crucial role in a child’s growth, confidence, and ability to learn, yet dental care is often overlooked until there’s a problem. By bringing health conversations together under one roof, families are reminded that prevention, routine checkups, and good habits all start young and pay off for years to come.

Dental health, much like other aspects of care, benefits from steady guidance and timely attention. Regular visits to a dentist help catch small concerns before they grow into bigger ones, sparing children unnecessary discomfort. And when the unexpected happens—a fall on the playground or a sudden toothache—knowing where to find an emergency dentist in austin can provide reassurance and quick support when it’s needed most.

Moments like this gathering serve as a reminder that community, education, and access go hand in hand. Just as leaders and families came together to celebrate a new chapter in children’s health, prioritizing dental care reinforces a traditional truth: strong foundations matter. With the right support and awareness, healthy smiles can be nurtured alongside overall wellness, giving children one more reason to smile brightly as they grow.

Access to thoughtful dental services strengthens that foundation even further. When clinics focus on prevention, patient education, and gentle care, they help families build routines that last well beyond childhood. From fluoride treatments and sealants to guidance on brushing techniques that grandparents would still recognize, consistent dental support keeps small concerns from becoming lasting problems.

In many communities, trusted practices known as Desert Springs Dental Care las vegas demonstrate how modern technology and time-honored values can work side by side. Digital imaging and minimally invasive treatments make visits smoother, while a familiar team and steady approach offer the reassurance families have always sought in a healthcare provider. That balance—innovation anchored by experience—helps children feel safe in the chair and confident in their smiles.

Ultimately, strong dental services are about more than clean teeth. They encourage responsibility, reinforce healthy habits, and remind families that tending to the basics is never old-fashioned—it’s wise. With dependable care close to home, children can grow up understanding that a healthy smile is not just cosmetic, but a lifelong asset rooted in consistency, care, and community.

In the spirit of celebrating community well-being, speakers also took a moment to acknowledge how quickly life can change when health emergencies arise. The new Hub, they noted, isn’t just a building—it’s a buffer, a place where families can get steady support when the unexpected tries to knock them sideways. Anyone who has rushed a child to care after a tumble off a bike or a rough day on the playground knows that having local services close by is more than a convenience; it’s peace of mind stitched right into the fabric of a small town.

Over twenty service providers from Campbell River and ten local service providers attended the event.  Many set up displays and offered information and handouts to our guests. Many more community members joined the festivities and had a tour of our new space. Estimates placed the crowd at around sixty people, a well attended event.

Children’s Health Hub looks forward to supporting children and families in the Vancouver Island West region. We will provide information, referrals, screening, support, and more for the families in our community. The Hub is open Monday and Thursday, 10:00AM – 3:00PM; Tuesday and Wednesday, 10:00AM – 1:00PM; or by appointment.  Contact us at 250-283-7108 or viwhub@gmail.com