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WELCOME
and
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L'essentiel est
invisible pour les yeux THE
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ABOUT |
ABOUT THE PROJECTThe Sunningdale students, staff, parents and community have embarked on a school grounds naturalization project in conjunction with Environment Canada and THE EVERGREEN FOUNDATION. During our first two years, The Evergreen Foundation in partnership with Environment Canada's community funding program Action 21, provided our school with the services of an associate to assist with the planning of a school grounds naturalization project. Sunningdale is an Evergreen Foundation
model school and therefore assumes a leadership role in assisting other
schools that wish to take on a similar project. |
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ABOUT
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COMMITTEE MEMBERSCore committee members:
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ABOUT
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PROJECT UPDATEThe Sunningdale
Naturalization Committee, has been busy since its inception
in the Fall of 1996. SITE INVENTORY
VISIONING
THE SUNFLOWER PROJECT
CURRICULUMConcurrently, teachers took
advantage of these ongoing activities to enhance the existing curriculum by
exposing the children to hands on mathematics and science challenges relating
to the sunflower garden. Examples of this included non-standard
measurement, estimating activities, studying the effects of the garden for
birds, animals, insects, etc. In the spring, a flurry of activity took place
as we mulched trees and shrubs and spread wood chips over all the damaged
ground areas in the yard. 1997 CORN ROAST
FALL/WINTER 1997/8 Though
many smaller activities have taken place our latest one of note is the school
wide estimating challenge. A sunflower was harvested and placed in the front
foyer. Students were invited to submit their estimate of the number of seeds
(Fall 1997). Together with Sunningdale’s Ministry of the Environment
(naturalization project club), the seed count was completed in March 1998 and
the winner announced shortly thereafter. CONCEPTUAL MASTER PLAN
APRIL 1998: SUNNINGDALE PROJECT RECEIVES AWARD
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL GROUNDS DAYwas Friday May 1, 1998. Many
students, parents, teachers and area residents volunteered their time to
plant 11 large caliper trees, to build a split cedar rail fence and to carve
logs for seating. This was the initiation of PHASE I of the school's 10 year
naturalization project. Soon pictures become available on a special project
web page for this very successful event. A big THANK YOU to all. MAY 1998: SUNNINGDALE PROJECT RECEIVES PROMISE OF $4000.00
On SEPTEMBER 1998: SUNNINGDALE PROJECT RECEIVES PROMISE OF $800.00
80 holes were dug and about 60% of the birch
trees, 120cm in height, were planted, all after school Wednesday October 14
1998. The students planted the remainder of the trees in the days following.
The money was received and used to purchase the birch whips. Update to
follow. SEPTEMBER 1998: SUNNINGDALE APPLIES FOR SHELL
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In September 1998 the committee applied for $5000 in SHELL
Canada Environment funding. The intent is to apply for the maximum,
$5000.00, in order to pay for all the woodland understory plants of the
Maple-Beech forest created on |
Later in 1998 the project received
approval for $5000 in SHELL Canada Environment funding.
Subsequently the following work was undertaken:
DECEMBER 1998: SUNNINGDALE PREPARES FOR SPRING 1999 PLANTING
During the week of
From
More information to follow.
APRIL 1999: SUNNINGDALE PROJECT RECEIVES ANOTHER AWARD
On
APRIL 30, 1999 :
PUBLIC WORK EVENING
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At the pre-planting work evening, held on Friday April 23
and which actually continued into Saturday and Sunday, we installed the
sprinkler system donated by Canaglobe
Distributing Ltd., a sprinkler system supplier (1-800-668-3803). We also
prepared the tree pits for the replacement trees, one at the front and one at
the rear, which were planted on Tuesday April 27. Thank you to all those who
participated.
Back to this past April 30th: OTHER ITEMS that were undertaken:
- mending the split cedar-rail fence at the rear of the school
- adding topsoil to the sunflower bed and the vegetable garden along the split cedar-rail fence at the rear of the school
- setting up bird-houses
- moving woodchips to various locations
Thanks to those who
participated, update to follow.
MAY-JUNE 1999: PERENNIAL PLANTING FOR CLIMAX FOREST BY STUDENTS
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OTHER ITEMS: during this time
each student was also planting a sunflower seed in our sunflower garden at
the rear of the school, and once all the above planting is completed, pumpkin
and other winter squash seeds were planted along the split rail fence at the
rear.
MAY 1999: NFB VISITS AND SHOOTS SUNNINGDALE PROJECT
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The National Film Board of Canada came Tuesday May 25, 1999 to shoot part of an instructional video on greening schools. Copy of newspaper article to follow |
MAY 2, 2000: INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL GROUNDS DAY CELEBRATION
Originally planned for May 1,
but rain dated to May 2, the Sunningdale School community had a sunny
and ceremony filled day. The students enjoyed their pick-nicks outside and a
Trembling Aspen Populus tremuloides was planted in honour of retired
Parks and Recreation Manager Peter Kleschnitzki and our past Evergreen
Foundation Associate Debby Morton, both past committee members. And our
project signs, donated by the Town of Oakville, were just installed in time
for the celebration too.
OCTOBER 12, 2000: WOODCHIPPING DAY
This exercise is an ongoing
effort to keep the school yard dry, by spreading woodchips in muddy and moist
areas where there is no grass. It has worked very well for the school in the
past and this time we were renewing the woodchip layer, which had disappeared
into the soil. A very environmentally clean way to cut down on dirt, mud and
dust.
Parents delivered equipment in the AM, primary classes worked outside from
1-2:30pm, juniors until 3:30pm. Families, community and staff assisted from
5-7pm. We asked families to bring food and snacks to share with all. Thank
you.
APRIL 6, 2001: DREAMACRES receives SERVICE TO THE ENVIRONMENT
AWARD
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At a ceremony held downtown |
SPRING 2001: NATIVE BUTTERFLY GARDEN project commences
With the financial assistance of The Ford Assembly plant and donations through our paving stone fundraising drive 50% of the native butterfly garden was installed at the rear of the school. A special thanks goes out to all the volunteers and especially our in-kind contributors:
- Nelson Aggregates, Burlington (25% off trade price for boulders) 905-335-5250
- Perma Paving
Stone,
- Bobcat-on-Demand,
- European Monuments, Oakville (special engraving pricing) 905-339-0409
4th ANNUAL DIG-IN
was held on Friday May 03,
2002. We prepared the sunflower and vegetable gardens, mended fences, spread
wood chips and replanted some plants.
SPRING 2002: NATIVE BUTTERFLY GARDEN project completed!
With the financial assistance of The Ford Assembly plant and Friends of the Environment funding and donations through our paving stone fundraising drive we completed the native butterfly garden started in Spring 2001. A special thanks goes out to all the volunteers and especially our in-kind contributors:
- Teufel Construction, Oakville (free bobcat operator) 905-339-0955
- Stephenson's Rent-All Ltd. (free bobcat use)
- Nelson Aggregates, Burlington (25% off trade price for boulders) 905-335-5250
- European Monuments, Oakville (special engraving pricing) 905-339-0409
MARCH 2003: TOYOTA EVERGREEN AWARD
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5th ANNUAL DIG-IN and planting of shade trees with TOYOTA EVERGREEN FUNDING
was held on Thursday May 01, 2003. As usual, we prepared the sunflower and vegetable gardens, mended fences, spread wood chips and replanted some plants.
We also planted 6 TULIP TREES Liriodendron tulipifera, a native Carolinian species, and 8 RED OAK Quercus rubra, also native to this area, with the $2500 received from the TOYOTA EVERGREEN AWARD.
Petrie's Topsoil (905-842-SOIL) was very generous and donated 12 cubic yards of triple mix, and Davey Tree Experts (905-842-5418) provided all the woodchips required.
6th ANNUAL DIG-IN and 1st Dreamacres Festival, 6th May 2004
The Dreamacres Festival was a resounding success and the weather, as always for Dreamacres, was beautiful. The Council Fire Dance Troupe of drummers and dancers, and the Birds of Prey demonstration from Mountsberg Conservation Area were highlights of the day. Outside, lots of woodchips were spread, the sunflower garden was prepared for planting, and trees were planted to replace those vandalised in the winter. Inside, the children made celebration sticks and dream catchers and composed chants. The art teacher, with the help of some Grade 6 students, painted 3 large murals. Unfortunately the murals cannot be mounted on the front exterior wall of the school as this would contravene the fire code. A place will be found for them inside.
MAY 2005: TOYOTA EVERGREEN AWARD
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(l to r)
7th ANNUAL DIG-IN
was held on Thursday May 05, 2005. As usual, we prepared the vegetable
garden, mended fences, spread wood chips, but this year we had to
disassemble the sunflower garden in order to fix our grading and
drainage problem. - Not to worry, it will be re-installed soon. We also gave
thanks to one of our very special parent volunteers, Ruth Borst. She was
presented with her own memory stone.
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Thank you Ruth |
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MAY 28 2005:
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A Gradall machine came and cut the swale as envisioned many years ago. This is the beginning of our largest phase for the Dreamacres project. Special thanks goes to The Town of Oakville and employee Steve Wiersma, and all the parent volunteers. |
More 2005 DIG-INs
further dig-ins were held June 1 and 9. We installed drainage pipe and elevated the sunflower garden area with gravel and wood chips. Machine work was provided at a reduced rate by Bobcat-on-Demand on June 1, thank you. Further postholes were dug with the no-cost assistance of ABC Postsetting (905-330-0008, thank you Brian). Hence many posts were set. We also planted 13 Nannyberries Viburnum lentago for the semi-circular the Peace Garden (outdoor class room). Two bridges were also installed over the swale. A special thanks also goes out to the Korean exchange students from WOSS who volunteered.
FALL 2005 DIG-IN:
With the assistance of many parent volunteers and the Dreamacres Committee,
we were able to complete the following:
- placed compost on the berm + seeding the berm with upland grasses and some shrub and tree seeds
- completed the installation of the "farmer's fence" around the berm and the storm water spill area (for protection)
- installed 450 rolls of sod for the swaled areas
Many hands made light work and we were able to complete these tasks over two evenings. Many thanks for their generous costing goes to Bobcat-on-Demand, The Region of Halton and The Town of Oakville who provided the 30m3 of compost and trucking at no charge, and a very special thanks to Hamilton Sod, who donated all 450 rolls of sod and 1000 pegs to Dreamacres, including shipping (in Oakville, call 905-849-1915 Ontario Sod located at 2376 Royal Windsor Drive, Oakville, ON)
SPRING 2006 DIG-IN: Peace Garden - tree
planting
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Dreamacres once again received TOYOTA EVERGREEN funding valued at $2000. - With $1000* of this funding over 150 whips (baby trees, all native) were planted on and around the berm created a year earlier. Many of the trees were planted during the Spring Dig-In by our parent and teacher volunteers, and the following day all students participated in planting additional whips. Thank you parent volunteers and teachers, a THANK YOU to Toyota Evergreen. *The other $1000 will be utilized towards the cost of installing stone seats for the Peace Garden |
JUNE 2006: TOYOTA EVERGREEN AWARD - cheque presentation
(l to r) Karen Brock, Maggie Linton, Frank Apa and Jay Adhvaryu of Oakville Toyota,
Marius de Bruyn
FALL 2006 DIG-IN:
Thank you to all the teacher and parent volunteers and students who came out to assist in the fall dig-in. Fences were mended, woodchips moved and a general fall clean-up was done.
2007 news to date (write ups and pictures to follow):
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CANADIAN
FAMILY magazine, April
2007 issue Sunningdale's teacher and Dreamacres Chair Maggie Linton and Dreamacres parent volunteer Karen Brock have been quoted |
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Dreamacres receives yet another $2000 Toyota-Evergreen Grant for the Sugarbush proposal |
"We
are pleased to inform you that your request for |
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Dreamacres’ position on portables |
“Placing the proposed portables in the area of the mini-soccer field
west of the gym will have the least impact on the health, security, safety
and education of the Sunningdale students, while preserving the diversity of
play spaces” –
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Dreamacres
received Conservation Award
of Excellence |
“The ‘Dreamacres’ Schoolyard
Naturalization project at |
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Dreamacres celebrated 10th Anniversary |
Dreamacres celebrated their 10th Anniversary in style, with dignitaries, Native dancers, student composed Dreamacres songs - and press coverage by TV and news papers |
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Granite seats in Dreamacres'
Peace garden
installed |
With the assistance of
pioneers spirited parent and teacher volunteers, the 7 granite seats for the
Peace Garden were installed. The 7 seats are engraved depicting the cultural
and political history of Canada from 9500BC to the present –
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FALL 2008 DIG-IN:
Thank you to all the teacher and parent volunteers and students who came out to assist in the fall dig-in. Fences were mended, woodchips moved and a general fall clean-up was done.
Plenty of new activities are planned for the upcoming months. For more
information about the naturalization project in general or any of the
specific activities please contact any member of the Naturalization Committee.
If you are interested in helping us write the text for this page, please call on Marius de Bruyn
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ABOUT
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CONCEPTUAL MASTER PLAN
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DREAMACRES
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DREAMACRES GIFT IDEASDreamacres is a self-funded project (no funding from the school board) and hence relies on environmental grants and on donations from the Sunningdale School community and Dreamacres patrons. Over the years we have developed GIFT IDEAS for supporters of Dreamacres.
When thinking of a benevolent gift to Dreamacres, please remember that Dreamacres is first and foremost a schoolyard naturalization project. Much of our project work receives environmental grants (with prescribed allocation restrictions), hence our need for other sources of funding. Current projects for which private funding is sought include
Dreamacres always welcomes gifts of any sort and size, may they be in kind or in cash. Tax receipts are provided to individuals for qualified gifts and are issued by the Halton District School Board. If you are interested in Dreamacres and would like to support this award-winning project, please contact
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OTHER DREAMACRES GIFT IDEAS |
OTHER LINKS
Here are some links of interest to this project:
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SUNNINGDALE PROJECTS |
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SUNNINGDALE
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SUNNINGDALE SCHOOL SUNFLOWER PROJECT 1997Description
In June 1997 the school's
naturalization project committee decided to kick-start the process with a FUN
project: THE SUNFLOWER GARDEN Please note, it will take a few minutes to come up, pending your modem speed and Internet activity. |
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CEREMONIAL
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FIRST OFFICIAL TREE PLANTINGDescription
At the 1997 CORN ROAST, the
first official trees of the SUNNINGDALE SCHOOL NATURALIZATION PROJECT were
planted.
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WE WILL
WELCOME YOU ANYTIME - YOU CAN FIND US VIA ANY MAJOR SEARCH ENGINE
AESTHETICS+DESIGN
145
telephone: 905.842.3351
updated December 02, 2008 ©
1997-2008 AESTHETICS+DESIGN.
All rights reserved.
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