Students of St. Charles College senior basketball team took on the Greater Sudbury Police Force in a friendly game of basketball recently in support of the Empowered Student Partnership Program, (ESP). ESP is a pilot project between the SCDSB, St. Charles College and the police that empowers students to be the driving force for safe schools. In addition to providing a lot of fun and excitement the game also served as a fundraiser to assist the school in participating in future events of the Empowered Student Partnership Program.

The Pilot Project of ESP at St. Charles College is made up of a group of some 50 students, 30 of whom sit on a steering committee. According to Diana Salvador, vice-principal at St. Charles College, “Our students are very excited and enthusiastic with the ESP Program given the fact that they have the power to make decisions to ensure that St. Charles College remains a safe school. Posters were created by the students to advertise the basketball game and they were also involved in selling tickets,” stated Salvador. Salvador also noted that, “School administration did not have to sell the idea of the ESP project to the students as they were completely willing to participate from the start. In addition, all students on the steering committee will be updated on a monthly basis re the progress of the program.”