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Privacy Policy

Last Updated: January 2026

Who We Are

This website is owned and operated by SchoolBOX (“SchoolBOX”, “we”, “us”, or “our”).
Our website address is:
https://schoolbox.ca

SchoolBOX is a non-profit organization that supports education programs and initiatives benefiting children, schools, and communities. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling personal information in a responsible and transparent manner, in accordance with applicable Canadian privacy legislation, including the
Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (“PIPEDA”).

For greater certainty, PIPEDA applies to personal information collected by SchoolBOX in the course of its commercial activities, including donations, electronic communications, and online interactions. SchoolBOX applies PIPEDA principles to its personal information handling practices more broadly as a matter of best practice.

Accountability and Privacy Officer

SchoolBOX is responsible for personal information under its control and has designated a Privacy Officer who is accountable for compliance with this Privacy Policy and applicable privacy legislation.

Contact details for the Privacy Officer are set out at the end of this Privacy Policy.

What Personal Information We Collect and Why

We collect personal information only when it is reasonably necessary to support our programs, communications, and operations.

This may include:

  • Name and contact information (such as email address)
  • Information submitted through contact forms or newsletter sign-ups
  • Donation-related information (processed securely through third-party payment providers)
  • Technical information such as IP address, browser type, and device data
  • Website usage and interaction data

Personal information is collected for purposes such as:

  • Communicating with supporters, donors, and subscribers
  • Sending newsletters, updates, and relevant information about SchoolBOX’s programs and activities
  • Processing donations and issuing acknowledgements and tax receipts, where applicable
  • Responding to inquiries and requests
  • Improving website functionality and user experience
  • Meeting legal, regulatory, accounting, or administrative requirements

Consent to Collect, Use, and Share Information

By submitting personal information through our website, you consent to its collection, use, and disclosure as described in this Privacy Policy.

Consent may be express or implied, depending on the sensitivity of the information and the context in which it is collected. Express consent is obtained where required by law or where appropriate, including in connection with donations and subscription-based electronic communications.

Your consent is voluntary and may be withdrawn at any time, subject to legal or contractual restrictions and reasonable notice. Withdrawal of consent may limit SchoolBOX’s ability to provide certain services, respond to requests, or continue communications.

Access to personal information is limited to authorized individuals who require it to perform their duties on behalf of SchoolBOX.

Communications and Opt-Out

If you subscribe to our newsletter or receive electronic communications from us, you may unsubscribe at any time by clicking the “unsubscribe” link included in our emails or by contacting us directly. Unsubscribe requests are processed in accordance with applicable law and no later than 10 business days after receipt.

Donations

When you make a donation, your payment information is processed securely by third-party payment providers. SchoolBOX does not store full payment card details.

Personal information collected in connection with donations is used only to:

  • Process the donation
  • Issue donation acknowledgements and tax receipts, where applicable
  • Communicate with you regarding SchoolBOX’s programs, activities, and impact, where you have provided consent to receive electronic communications

Analytics and Website Tracking

We may use analytics tools to understand how visitors interact with our website. These tools may collect aggregated information such as:

  • Pages visited and time spent on pages
  • Referral sources
  • Device and browser information
  • General geographic location (based on anonymized IP data)

This information helps us improve website performance, content, and outreach efforts. Analytics data does not personally identify individual users unless information is explicitly provided through forms.

You may manage or disable cookies through your browser settings.

Cookies

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to support basic functionality and improve user experience. Cookies may remember preferences, support analytics, or help ensure the site functions properly.

You can disable cookies through your browser settings, although some features of the website may not function as intended.

Sharing of Personal Information

We do not sell personal information to third parties.

Personal information may be shared with trusted service providers who assist us with:

  • Website hosting
  • Email communications
  • Payment processing
  • Analytics and performance monitoring

These service providers are given access only to the personal information necessary to perform their services and are contractually required to protect such information in a manner consistent with this Privacy Policy. We may also disclose personal information where required or permitted by law.

Data Storage and International Transfers

Personal information may be stored or processed outside of your province or country of residence, including in jurisdictions with different data protection laws.

SchoolBOX takes reasonable steps to ensure that appropriate contractual or other safeguards are in place to protect personal information when it is processed by service providers outside Canada. Individuals may contact us for additional information about our policies and practices relating to international data transfers.

Security of Personal Information

We use commercially reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information against loss, misuse, unauthorized access, disclosure, or alteration. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and absolute security cannot be guaranteed.

Data Retention

Personal information is retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by applicable legal, regulatory, accounting, or administrative requirements. When personal information is no longer required, it is securely destroyed or anonymized.

Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Request access to the personal information we hold about you
  • Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete personal information
  • Request deletion of personal information, subject to legal or administrative requirements

Requests may be made by contacting the Privacy Officer using the information below.

Children’s Privacy

SchoolBOX supports educational initiatives involving children and schools. We collect personal information relating to children only where appropriate consent has been obtained from a parent or legal guardian, or as otherwise permitted by applicable Canadian privacy law. If you believe personal information has been provided without appropriate consent, please contact us so that we may take appropriate action.

Links to Other Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. SchoolBOX is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those websites, and we encourage visitors to review the privacy policies of any external sites they visit.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Updates will be posted on this page, and the “Last Updated” date will be revised accordingly.

Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or the handling of personal information, please contact our Privacy Officer:

SchoolBOX
Privacy Officer
Email:
info@schoolbox.ca

Melanie Francis

Melanie Francis
Community and Education Engagement Coordinator  

Aanii Boozhoo! Niimi’iwe Shkode Kwe, Dancing Fire Woman is my spirit name. Migizi Dodem. (Eagle Clan). I am Ojibway and Algonquin from Timiskaming First Nation, residing on Mnidoo Mnising, Manitoulin Island. A proud Anishinaabe Kweand parent of 2 adult children, Nathaniel & Aysia. 

I have always had a deep passion for working alongside and advocating for children and families, and have devoted over 35 years to working in the early year sector where I have made a significant impact in various roles from day camps, childcare programs, and supporting children with special needs, developing and implementing healthy living programs for children and families along the way.  

I eventually transitioned into teaching adults with a focus on early childhood education, where I emphasize the importance of identity and overall well-being in children, including the family unit.  My work reflects the deep connection I foster within communities, with spirituality, and with our Indigenous culture and traditions, always approaching each experience with humility and a genuine desire to grow and learn.

I am committed to giving back and reminding us of the vital role we play in shaping future generations. With kindness, compassion, and enthusiasm, driven by the belief that the work we all do to contribute to the lives of children and families truly matters, and that each positive interaction we have makes a difference!

Giselle McGregor
Teacher

Aanii Kina Wiiya!!  Nimkii Waakeegan Kwe n’digo.  Ma’iigan dodem.  Waawaaskiningaa n’donjiba, Wiikwemikoong n’donjiba, maapii akiing n’donjiba. Bawating cognigo. Giselle McGregor zhaagnaash noozwin.

Hello Everyone!  The spirits know me as Thunder Rainbow Woman.  I am wolf clan.  I am from Whitefish River First Nation.  I am also originally from Wiikwemikoong.  I am from this land.  I grew up in Sault Ste. Marie.  My English name is Giselle McGregor.  I am proud Anishnaabe kwe.  I have been a teacher for 10 years and have taught and been apart of teaching Indigenous ways of knowing and being.  I have spent most of my teaching career in the early years sector.  I have just recently moved on to work with the Aadiziwin Team in my home community as the Anishnaabemowin Coordinator.  In this role we are revitalizing our Anishnaabemowin which includes but not limited to bringing different ways of learning the Ojibwe language through ceremony, drumming, being on the land and bringing these opportunities to the community for community.  I am a wife, a daughter, a granddaughter, a friend, a sister, an auntie and I am also the wind, the rain, the earth and the fire.  I am honoured also to be a board member of the Schoolbox organization.  Miwe!

Jim David
Founder, Trumpet Capital Corp.

Jim has been a vital supporter of SchoolBOX since the beginning. Jim travelled to Nicaragua in early 2008 to help construct one of our first schools and has been actively involved ever since. Jim is a commercial mortgage advisor and founder of Trumpet Capital Corp in Calgary, Alberta. He is passionate about yoga, and helping children in Nicaragua.

Tom Affleck
SchoolBOX Founder

Tom Affleck has lived and worked in Guatemala, Peru and Nicaragua. It was an unexpected encounter in Nicaragua, however, that sparked the SchoolBOX dream. In 2006 he gave two girls notebooks and pencils. One of the girls’ father said to her “now that you have a notebook and pencil you can go to school this year”. Tom saw his work building SchoolBOX as an opportunity to live out his faith and to break the bonds of poverty for thousands of children.

Jennette Affleck
Retired Teacher, co-founder of SchoolBOX

Jennette has been involved with early childhood education for her entire professional career. Jennette has taught in Boston, Toronto, the Ottawa Valley, and Monteverde, Costa Rica. Jennette was SchoolBOX’s longest serving Board member, has participated in 7+ school builds in Nicaragua, and was an integral part of our organization since its infancy.

Dina Bell-Laroche
Executive Coach, Sport Law & Strategy Group

Dina has been involved with SchoolBOX since 2012. In 2013, she led a team of youth to Nicaragua to participate in a school build and returned to Canada committed to making a difference. Dina’s experience in facilitation and strategic communications has been an asset to SchoolBOX. Dina believes that education really opens up opportunities for students in Nicaragua and strives to use her skills to create change.

Shannon O’Rourke

Shannon is passionate about unlocking human potential through meaningful education experiences and global community connections. Professionally, she is a marketing executive with 25 years of cross-industry experience in accelerating positive impact, innovation, and growth through the teams and organizations she serves. Shannon joined the board in 2023. She is honored to work with the SchoolBOX team to help make education possible and to further empower children, youth, families, and communities to live their best lives.

Stephanie Potter
Master Integral Coach, PhD

A longtime supporter of SchoolBOX activities, Stephanie, her husband, and youngest daughter joined a trip to Nicaragua in 2018 where they fell in love with the country and the communities they visited. After seeing the impact of SchoolBOX’s work first-hand, Stephanie was inspired to join the Board and did so in February 2020. Stephanie is humbled by the opportunity to lend her knowledge and skills to help make education – and therefore community and social change – possible through the work of SchoolBOX.

Jim Sale
Technology Executive

Jim‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ technology executive who spent his career with various product development and consulting organizations. Working with global ‌organizations‌ in the Life Sciences industry, Jim provides leadership on strategic programs involving technology, data, and advanced analytics to optimize‌ ‌organizational ‌effectiveness.‌ ‌He‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌long-time‌ ‌supporter‌ ‌of‌ ‌SchoolBOX‌ ‌and‌ ‌had‌ ‌the‌ ‌opportunity‌ ‌to‌ ‌travel‌ ‌to ‌Nicaragua‌ ‌in‌ ‌2016‌ ‌to‌ ‌help‌ ‌build‌ ‌the‌ ‌Gilberto‌ ‌Siles‌ ‌school.‌ ‌Jim ‌joined‌ ‌the‌ ‌Board‌ ‌of‌ ‌Directors‌ ‌in‌ ‌2021‌ ‌with‌ ‌the‌ ‌goal‌ ‌of‌ ‌applying‌ ‌his‌ ‌energy‌, and‌ ‌experience‌ ‌to‌ ‌help‌ ‌deliver impactful programs that improve the lives and future opportunities for kids in underserved communities.

Natalie Gunn, Chair
Co-Owner, Oxford Learning Centre Kanata

Natalie was born with a passion for education, helping people and travel. Looking for a new volunteer project, she joined the Equator Coffee Roasters team and visited Nicaragua for a classroom build in November 2016 and proudly joined the Board of Directors in late 2017. Natalie is co-owner of the Oxford Learning Centre Kanata and committed to supporting children to reach their full potential.

Margie Graff
Retired Teacher

After 32 years of teaching with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, Margie retired and began volunteering with SchoolBOX’s Treaty 3 library partnerships. She was honoured to be entrusted with the ordering of Indigenous texts and resources for communities and schools, as well as travelling to two communities to lend a hand in setting up their library spaces. In 2022, Margie joined the board and continues to build on these wonderful experiences to ensure that all learners have the resources and opportunities to realize their dreams.

Jo Danaher
Financial Manager
finance@schoolbox.ca

Jo Danaher is our cheerful financial wizard. She keeps all of our SchoolBOX finances in order, and makes sure that we are meeting the highest standards for a charitable organization. Jo enjoys seeing the amazing power that the SchoolBOX community of volunteers and donors has to impact the education of so many children.

Rochelle Bragg
Social Media and Communications Manager
rochelle@schoolbox.ca

Rochelle is mixed Anishi but has much of her far jowin (Qj Cree) and Swiss-German, currently living in Treaty 19, ly living in Treaty 9, specifically the isolated community of Muskrat Dam First Nation. Rochelle is committed to speaking out on the Indigenous realities in  Canada and doing her part to help this next generation of Indigenous youth pursue their educational and personal goals.