Front row students - Avery Suderman, Sophie Harder, Malachi Katabira
A collective effort has seen a strong start to a three-phase project for Garden Valley School Division's Pine Ridge Elementary School (PRES).
A three phase project
Parent Advisory Council (PAC) chair Keir Froese outlines the plans.
"We have just finished phase one, which has been a tree project, which has been granted to us from the Manitoba Hydro Forest Enhancement Program. Phase two, we are just embarking on completing this summer, which is an accessibility pathway, as well as the preliminary plans for a concrete pad for our third phase, which will house our outdoor classroom. It has been exciting to see the community come together. So, thank you to everyone who's played a part."
Grants and Fundraising
PAC grant writer Jodi Szutu said the Manitoba Hydro Forest Enhancement Program fully funded the approximately $8000 tree project. She was grateful for the collective effort to fill out the extensive application for this grant for the much-needed shelter these trees will provide in the school yard.
"We planted a row along the north side of the schoolyard of Prairie sky poplars. Hopefully, they are fast-growing. We'll be able to block the wind really quickly for our students because that is a major concern and problem for the students out there, Ashly said. One time that if the students jump up, they might blow away.
Student thrilled to be involved
Grade 5 student, Malachi Katabira is happy the trees are now planted in the ground.
"What I like about the trees is that instead of just seeing the metal bar for the whole school year, we have trees that can bring more greenery into the school and more fresh air.'
Grade 5 student Avery Suderman is also grateful for the shelter from the wind, saying, "On cold windy days, you can barely walk or breathe when facing the wind."
Inclusion is important
Katabira said it felt good to know he belongs to a school that wants to include everyone. When talking about the accessibility path, he said, “I feel like I can make a change in the world and help others who need help.”
Suderman agreed. "It's really great that Mrs. Dyck, our principal, is trying to make everybody feel included and special here, which also touches the heart that we can maybe change the world."
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The accessibility pathway is also completely funded thanks to extensive fundraising by student families with support from the Winkler Community Foundation ($2500), local businesses, and individuals.
PAC Secretary Tamara Friesen said fundraisers included a family movie night and several gift card sales for local businesses.
Accessibility should be a standard
PAC Member Kaelin Harder is grateful her daughter Sophie attends a school that makes all students feel included, noting, "Accessibility, we think, should be a standard. When you look around the world, it's not always that way, but we feel very privileged to be a part of a school that makes it that way inside and now outside too."
Sophie wholeheartedly agreed with a big smile on her face.
These projects align with school goals
These projects connect highly to student learning about the Circle of Courage, according to Principal Ashly Dyck.
"It says that we all need belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity in order to feel successful. And I think these projects reinforce that learning by creating a space that is accessible to all, and by creating a space that's beautiful to be in, with the trees, and also comfortable with the outdoor classroom. I see students going there to talk to each other and to visit during recess and just have an alternative space if they don't want to run around or play soccer."
Dyck said the community has been a great example of generosity for the students at the school and that this will take student learning to new levels with students learning to care for each other and the trees."
Gratitude for support of the community
Each person around the collective table expressed deep gratitude for the community support to make these projects a reality and looks forward to partnering further in the final leg of fundraising for the outdoor classroom, which will begin next school year.