At Options Secondary Program’s recent Canvas and Cookies event, students and their families came together to do something truly special: create art and connection. With paintbrushes in hand and cookies within reach, families worked side by side to design art pieces, transforming a simple evening into a celebration of creativity, community, and belonging.

The event’s impact went far beyond the canvases. Nights like this build the kind of supportive environment where students feel seen, valued, and connected. And when students feel a strong sense of belonging, they’re more likely to engage in the classroom, develop resilience, and grow academically and emotionally.

Options community events, including Canvas and Cookies, are funded by an LPS Foundation educator grant and wouldn’t be possible without our incredible donor community. 

You can fund future educator grants like these by clicking here and selecting “Educator Support” under the heading, “Please direct my support.”