The Have You Heard campaign is a district-wide initiative to equip primary classrooms (JK–Grade 3) with soundfield amplification systems, ensuring every student can hear and engage fully in their learning environment. The full campaign goal is $555,000 to install 255 soundfield systems across schools in the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board.
Soundfield systems evenly distribute a teacher’s voice throughout the classroom, allowing all students to clearly hear instruction, regardless of seating position, background noise, or hearing ability. The result is improved listening, focus, comprehension, and participation.
This project supports key priorities in education, equity, and well-being:
Education and Learning: Clear instruction in the primary years builds foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, and communication that influence lifelong success.
Equity and Inclusion: Soundfield systems are an evidence-based tool that ensures all students — including those with hearing challenges, auditory processing issues, or language barriers — have equal access to instruction.
Health and Well-being: Better communication and reduced classroom stress create a sense of belonging and connection for both students and educators.
Investing in soundfield technology is an investment in the district’s youngest learners, helping them build a strong educational foundation that will support their success throughout school and beyond. The Have You Heard campaign ensures that every primary classroom is a space where every voice is heard, and every child can thrive.
The Have You Heard campaign will have a significant and lasting impact on primary classrooms across the Hastings and Prince Edward counties, directly benefiting over 5,000 students daily By equipping classrooms with soundfields all students gain equal access to clear instruction, enhancing learning during the critical early years.
Immediate Classroom Impact:
Soundfields evenly distribute the teacher’s voice, overcoming background noise, distance challenges, and room acoustics. This allows students to:
Hear and comprehend lessons clearly, reducing missed instructions.
Stay engaged and confident, fostering participation and focus.
Access learning equitably, regardless of seating, hearing ability, or language proficiency.
Student Outcomes:
Primary years are foundational for reading, writing, numeracy, and communication skills. Research shows students in classrooms with soundfields score higher on assessments, follow directions more effectively, and remain engaged. Early access to clear instruction addresses learning gaps and promotes academic success for all students.
Classroom Benefits:
Improved classroom management and more effective lesson delivery, creating a calmer, more productive learning environment.
Community Impact and Equity:
Students who build strong foundational skills are more likely to succeed academically, remain engaged in school, and pursue further education. Soundfields provide equitable access for students who may face hearing or language challenges, promoting inclusion and opportunity.
Long-Term Impact:
These systems will benefit multiple generations of students, removing a fundamental barrier to learning and supporting lifelong academic achievement and personal growth.
In summary, the Have You Heard campaign strengthens student learning, supports educators, promotes equity, and contributes to the long-term vitality of our community, making a measurable difference in thousands of lives for years to come.
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Teachers need to be heard for students to learn!
A great benefit to our students at HPEDSB
I heard! HAVE YOU HEARD?
This will help young students hear every word that their teacher is saying – a recipe for success!
This project will ensure that all students can hear clearly in the classroom. A game changer for young learners!
A student centred project that is good for ALL!