NATURALIZATION COMMITTEE MEETING - APRIL 13, 1999 - 7:00 P.M.

ATTENDANCE:
In attendance were : Maggie Linton, Phyllis Kingsley, Jeanne Mortimer, Marius de Bruyn, Karen Brock, Ginny Devenish, Paul Fleiszer, Kathy Batycky and Ruth Borst.

CONTRIBUTION COUNT:
Meeting Hours: 8 x 2 = 16
Non-Meeting Hours: =15
Professional Hours: Meeting Hours 1 x 2 = 2

ITEMS ARISING FROM LAST MINUTES:
Birdhouses: Completion of the birdhouses could be one of the planting night activities, and postholes could be dug at the same time as the post holes for the fence. Jeanne offered her dad’s help in making the baffles.
Action - Jeanne

"Park Watch" signage: Karen showed a draft of the sign, and will contact Peter Kleschnitzki by email.
Action - Karen, Peter

Neighbourhood Watch & Walking School Bus:There is a need to update the list of neighbours living round the school. Carol Gall to be asked if she can obtain the names.
Action - Ginny
The letter to the neighbours is to be hand delivered.
Action - Maggie
Paul described the history and structure of the Walking School Bus program, major benefits being increased physical activity for the children, and a decrease in traffic hazard. Halton Region to be contacted to see if they are already involved with the program. The idea will be presented to the School Council.
Action - Phyllis

Maple-Beech Forest: Dead beech will have to be taken out at about the same time as a new one is planted and the root structure checked. - One of the Red Oak at the rear of the school is also ded and is to be replaced at the same time.
Action - Les Hayter and Bob Borst for digging out dead trees; Marius -> tree forensics and ordering
The school is to provide a loan for the replacement beech
Action - Phyllis

Surveying:
Al Greyson, Superintendent, gave permission for Gr. 5’s to use surveying equipment provided there were safety guidelines and supervision in place. A grid is to be made, and the question was raised as to how many children are needed
Action - Marius

Award of Distinction:
The award will be presented at the Halton Board offices, 2050 Guelph Line, on April 21 at 8:00 p.m. All members of the Dreamacres committee are asked to be present to receive the award.
Action - All committee members

Fund Raising:
- The stepping stones project is an idea for a future fund-raising activity. One brick could be made up in advance as a display piece.
- Canadian Tire Environmental Award is worth $1000. The application is in and a tentative wish list of tools has been made up by Karen. The award should be made by April 30.
- Ikea is seeking information on our behalf for the "replace a tree program". (It is not Ikea who decides where the trees will be planted).

Preparation for Understory Planting for Maple-Beech Forest AND other items:

• A water supply system needs to be in place before planting, with an under the drive pipe and the possibility of connecting the furnace room tap. Ron Rozell, plumbing contractor, and trenching companies to be contacted.
  Action - Phyllis -> trenching /plumbing; Marius -> irrigation
• Holes need to be dug for fence and birdhouses and replacement trees and the Town will be asked for help. The areas for holes have to be marked.
  Action - Marius
• Area for composting needs to be measured
  Action - Maggie/Phyllis
• There will be a mini work evening on April 23 with a few key helpers to:
  • Mend the fence
  • seating
  • move logs
  • install the irrigation system
  • set 4 new sections of fence
• The main planting event will be on April 30 to:
  • Plant shrubs
  • whips and vines
  • spread wood chips and soil
  • dig in sunflower garden
  • put up birdhouses
  • complete new fence.
• The committee will have a final organizational meeting on 27th April at 7:00 p.m. in the school library.
• Starting May 3rd, for 2 weeks, the perennials will be planted. The Grade 3’s will be the first classes to participate. 1000 perennials will be ordered
  Action - Marius

• Phyllis suggested applying for an award from the Learning Consortium, made up of Halton, Toronto and Durham school boards. The award is for exemplary school projects and the amount is $2000.
  Action - Phyllis
• Maggie talked about the Ford Environmental Initiatives. The committee decided to consider this again in the Fall.

NATURALIZATION COMMITTEE MEETING - MARCH 09, 1999 - 7:00 P.M.

ATTENDANCE:
In attendance were : Maggie Linton, Phyllis Kingsley, Jeanne Mortimer, Marius de Bruyn, Karen Brock and Ginny Devenish.
Absent were : Luanne Turk, Paul Fleiszer, Ruth Borst, Kathy Batycky, Barbara Denejka, Wendy Duncan, Peter Kleschnitzki, Gail Lessen, Sona van der Hoop and Gerrit Buitenhuis.

CONTRIBUTION COUNT:
Meeting Hours: 5 X 1.5 = 7.5
Non-Meeting Hours: 3 people X various = 5
Professional Hours: Meeting Hours 1 x 1.5

ITEMS ARISING FROM LAST MINUTES:
Birdhouses: If required, Mark and Ginny Devenish will complete the birdhouses. Maggie to inform if children are unable to complete.
Action - Maggie

"Park Watch" signage: To be followed up at next meeting.
Action - Karen, Peter

Neighbourhood Watch: The letter is ready for signing. Delivery to be scheduled for Spring.
Action - Maggie
Maple-Beech Forest:The replacement tree is coming. Karen will keep us up to date on grants.
Action - Marius -> tree

Surveying:
Marius to look into the safety aspect of the laser level grid more carefully. A decision to be made at next meeting.
Action - Marius, Phyllis

Award of Distinction:
The application submitted by Phyllis was awarded to Sunningdale. Presentation to follow week of April 21, 1999.

Fund Raising:
Marius brought in a sample brick with engraving for us to look at. The 20X20cm size ($50 donation) will be the brick size promoted for our walkways. Marius to approach Ikea as using Sunningdale as the beneficiary for the "replace a tree" program. Luanne to follow-up with the Canadian Tire Environmental Award $1,000.
Action - Marius; Luanne

Various:
- Field Trip possibilities for the students are being looked into by Jeanne. Possibilities are: Conservation areas, Keith Squires, etc.
- Flagpole repair and move are approved.
- Walking School Bus: Paul to present at future meeting.
- Our seed inventory looks good. We will also plant popping corn this year.


NEW BUSINESS:

• Understory planting for Maple-Beech Forest:
  • A "woodchip spreading" evening will be announced at next meeting. We have to order logs, shrubs, whips, perennials, manure, soil, etc.
    Action - Marius
  • Karen to contact Luanne about getting brooms, shovels and especially wheelbarrows.
    Action - Karen; Luanne
  • For the week of April 19 (incorporating Earth Day), a schedule will be set up by Maggie and Jeanne for students to go out in small groups to plant (1,000) perennials - approximately 2/child. A day will be arranged for parents and children to plant 60 shrubs.
    Action - Maggie, Jeanne
  
  
• Donations:
  If possible, we would like to compile a list of individuals/corporations who made cash or material/time donations to Dreamacres, as well as awards we have received. Some donations and awards were mentioned in the application for the "Award of Distinction". Please come prepared with any "mentions" for the next meeting so that we may compile a formal file. eg. Donation from Panasonic ($300 cash).
  Action - Luanne

NATURALIZATION COMMITTEE MEETING - FEBRUARY 09, 1999 - 7:00 P.M.

ATTENDANCE:
In attendance were : Maggie Linton, Luanne Turk, Marius de Bruyn, Karen Brock, Paul Fleiszer, Phyllis Kingsley, Jeanne Mortimer and Ruth Borst.
Absent were : Kathy Batycky, Barbara Denejka, Wendy Duncan, Peter Kleschnitzki, Gail Lenssen, Ginny Devenish, Sona van der Hoop,and Gerrit Buitenhuis.

CONTRIBUTION COUNT:
Meeting Hours 7 x 1.75 = 12.25
Non-Meeting Hours 6 people x various = 7
Professional Hours: Meeting Hours 1 x 1.75

ITEMS ARISING FROM LAST MINUTES:
Birdhouses: Maggie showed the birdhouse made by Mark Devenish who had made an enormous effort to get the materials and have the prototype ready before the Creativity Festival. This model was used by Grade 3,4 and 5 students at the Creativity Festival who, with the aid of plans provided by Jeanne, made considerable progress in the building of 2 more birdhouses. As the project was such a success, it was suggested that it be kept as a permanent project in the Festival.

"Park Watch" signage: Karen had contacted Peter Kleschnitzki, who indicated that the signs would be metal, and about 12" x 18". The wording could be approved by Phyllis, and should contain a contact number and perhaps the website address. Once approved, Peter could have the signs made.
Action - Karen, Phyllis, Peter

Neighbourhood Watch: Paul had contacted the Halton Police Community Officer who thought that the Neighbourhood Watch in the area of the school was defunct, but was willing to try to contact members before taking the signs down. A neighbourhood mailing would probably be more successful at this time, with a letter being sent in Spring.
Action - Paul to draft a letter
The question arose as to whether the community police patrol in the area around the school in summer on a regular basis.
Action - Paul to make enquiries
It would be a good idea to contact Oakville Soccer Club to make them aware of the project. Coaches of the home team could be informed.
Action - Paul to draft a letter

Maple-Beech Forest:Karen had finalized the grant from the Shell Environmental Fund. $2500 has been received, with the remainder to follow after the submission of the final report. Karen has a list of steps and guidelines to follow, as laid out by the Fund. An invitation has been extended by Phyllis to attend the September corn roast.
Canada Trust : receipts have to be submitted for a replacement tree for (front) 90mm beech.

Surveying:
A surveyor (from Fred Cunningham Land Surveyors) is willing to come to the school for a day in May/June to work with the students. Marius suggested the possibility of using a laser level grid for the measurement. A major concern is safety .
Action - Phyllis and Marius to look into this more closely

Various: Phyllis reported that the Dykstra family's tax receipt will be issued shortly. Thank you letters have been sent out by Sona. The inventory of seeds for the Sunflower Garden is underway (Maggie). Phyllis has already verbally broached the subject of moving the flagpole with the Board of Education and will seek permission in writing.


NEW BUSINESS:

• Phyllis is applying for an Award of Distinction for the students and staff involved with the Dreamacres project. The award is one of several given by the Board of Education. Application deadline is the end of February.
  
  
• Several ideas were put forward for fund raising
  • Marius has found a business where bricks can be engraved, the idea being to encourage graduates of the school to purchase them and then incorporate them into a pathway This could be useful funding for projects such as the butterfly garden which are not eligible for other outside sources of funding.
  • The possibility of Millenium funding should also be pursued, at both Provincial and Federal levels. Evergreen Foundation to be contacted in this regard
    Action - Maggie
  • The idea of a Canadian History Wall was also suggested by Marius, as a possible Millenium Project.
  • Ikea now has a "replace a tree" program in place, planting a tree for every Christmas tree sold in their stores. The beneficiary last year was Halton Conservation area. They should be contacted about the possibility of making Dreamacres a future beneficiary
    Action - Marius
  
  
• Karen gave information on a Canadian Tire environmental award of $1000. As the application has to be done in conjunction with a store, one of the Canadian Tire stores could be contacted to obtain more details
  Action - Luann
  
  
• The idea of starting a composting project was discussed. One suggestion was to use notched cedar logs.
  
  
• Field Trips to nurseries/garden centres need to be planned soon and should take place in early Spring before the nurseries get very busy. The best possibility to date seems to be Hortico
  Action - Marius
  
  
• "Walking School Bus" is a program underway in Toronto under the auspices of various departments (Health, Education) in which children are encouraged to walk in their neighbourhood, under adult supervision. The resulting benefits are many, e.g. increased community safety, health, and reduction in pollution. More information to be obtained
  Action - Paul

NATURALIZATION COMMITTEE MEETING - JANUARY 12, 1999 - 7:00 P.M.

ATTENDANCE:
In attendance were Marius de Bruyn, Ginny Devenish, Ruth Borst, Phyllis Kingsley, Karen Brock, Jeanne Mortimer, Sona Vander Hoop, Paul Fleiszer and Maggie Linton. Absent were Kathy Batycky, Barbara Denejka, Wendy Duncan, Lu Ann Turk, Peter Kleschnitzki, Gail Lenssen, Sharon Gerrard and Gerrit Buitenhuis.

CONTRIBUTION COUNT:
Meeting Hours 8 X 1.5 = 12
Non-Meeting Hours 5 persons X various = 13
Professional Hours: Meeting Hours 1 X 1.5

WELCOME:
Maggie read letter from Debby Morton in which it was suggested to approach the Trillium and Millennium Funds for funding. Maggie read the visioning article which was submitted to the Evergreen Foundation.

ITEMS ARISING FROM MINUTES:
Birdhouses: Mark Devenish will assist in the building of birdhouses. Dimensions to come. Mark to be approached for possibility of having some ready for use in Junior Creativity Festival and also to approach Lansing for off-cut wood donations. Ginny to talk to Mark, Maggie to bring in prototype.
Action - Ginny, Maggie

"Park Watch" signage: Karen and Maggie to finalize wording , etc. prior to submitting to Peter.
Action - Maggie, Karen, Peter

Press: Press coverage may assist in reducing vandalism in the Spring. Sona to be updated at next meeting. As well a neighbourhood mailing is to be developed. Paul to contact community officers/neighbourhood watch to get input on phone numbers and contacts.
Action - Paul

Primary Forest: Greenkeepers will be needed for Spring classes to do one-week rotations to assist in litter and tree patrol.
Action - Maggie, Phyllis to contact class reps.

Maple-Beech Forest: The mulch is spread. In order to get greater classroom involvement in future, greater lead time for notice is needed to class reps.
Karen to finalize status of Shell Grant and Spring Grant and ensure Canada Trust letter is out.
Action - Karen


NEW BUSINESS:

NATURALIZATION COMMITTEE MEETING - NOVEMBER 24, 1998 - 7:00 P.M.

ATTENDANCE:
In attendance were Jeanne Mortimer, Ruth Borst, Karen Brock, Peter Kleschnitzki, Marius de Bruyn, Ginny Devenish and Paul Fleiszer. Absent were Phyllis Kingsley, Maggie Linton, Sona Vander Hoop, Kathy Batcky, Barbara Denejka, Wendy Duncan and LuAnn Turk.

CONTRIBUTION COUNT:
Meeting Hours 1X5=5
Non-Meeting Hours 1/2X2=1
Professional Hours: Meeting Hours 2X1=2

ITEMS ARISING FROM MINUTES:
Ruth and Ginny volunteered to be joint filing clerks and secretaries. An overview of Dreamacres was given.

Birdhouses: It was suggested that Mark Devenish be contacted to see if he would assist classes in the construction of bird houses in the New Year.
Action - Ginny

"Park Watch" signage was discussed further and Peter was in agreement to assist upon final sizes and wording.
Action - Maggie

NEW BUSINESS:
Primary Forest: "Greenkeepers" needed. Suggested classes do one-week rotations to assist in litter and tree control.
Action - Maggie to contact Phyllis

Primary Forest: It was felt that press coverage may encourage community involvement to reduce vandalism to trees and school property.
Action - Sona

Primary Forest: The broken tree branches will have to be pruned and Karen volunteered.
Action - Karen

Climax Forest Floor: The Shell Grant has been awarded $2,500 up front with the rest upon invoicing for an additional $2,500. The front area will be prepared next. The area is to be marked so that the backhoe can come in week of November 30/98 (T-Th). Compost, leaves and top soil will be delivered at this time. Mulch will be delivered a little later in the Fall. Cost $2000. This will ensure bed ready for Spring planting. A notice will be sent home Nov. 26 with students to see if parents will assist with the spreading of leaves, etc. Students may assist as part of their gym time (old clothes to be worn.) An on-site representative will be needed to assist backhoe driver.
Action - Marius to mark bed.
Peter and Marius to co-ordinate machinery arrival.
Karen and Jeanne to set up notice and distribution.
Maggie to talk to Phyllis about student involvement.

NEXT MEETING:
Tuesday, January 12, 1999 - 7:00 P.M. Library
Confirm: 338-3551 (9-5), 257-4848 (after 3)

NATURALIZATION COMMITTEE MEETING - September 17, 1998 - 7:00 P.M.


PRESENT: Jeanne Mortimer, Kathy Batycky, Maggie Linton, Marius de Bruyn, Phyllis Kingsley, Sona van der Hoop, Karen Brock.

1. UPDATE:

Karen Brock:

• as of this past Monday the application for funding was in the hands of the board of the Shell Environmental Fund

• will be involved in a workshop at Evergreen to show how the visioning ideas become a final plan
• suggested that we request a donation of "bytes" from Global Serve as our web page will require more as we expand; Action: Marius
• suggested web page include an " in-kind hours and counting" and "$ donated and counting" section as well as the addition of logos of companies that have supported the project.
• requires photos of original student visioning work and minutes from last two meetings for web page.
• suggested that large plan should be mounted on wooden supports and hung
• will call Gerrit Buitenhuis to get support to access compost from the Region of Halton; Action: Marius
• will watch in the winter for opportunities to have hardwood logs (8-10 ft.) donated from local tree cutting companies (for additional seating); Action: Marius

• require new committee member to setup and maintain a more comprehensive filing system
• will check list of parent volunteers for parents interested in involvement in the Dreamacres project; Action: Jeanne

• Sunningdale has been chosen by the Evergreen Foundation to be one of five schools in Canada to partner with a local TD Bank. TD will donate $800 for plant materials so the employees of the bank may become involved with the school and community in advancement of playground naturalization
• contact has been made with Luanne Turk, manager of the Toronto Dominion Bank at the Upper Oakville Mall. Luanne has a daughter in grade one at Sunningdale.

• suggested that a write up on the project and our web site be prepared for the Boards "Software News" and that appropriate commentary could be taken from the very excellent submission to the Shell Environment Fund.
• suggested that we create a permanent spot in the school for the Dreamacres photo album (that Jeanne has been so conscientiously compiling).

• 100 to 200 trees (whips)-birch and poplar at back swale area in front of "outdoor classroom" area.
• will approach Stevenson’s for 6 picks; Action: Marius
• spades and shovels will also be required. Could possibly ask TD folks to bring some along
• possible date; October 15- 4:30 to nightfall; Action: Maggie will contact TD to confirm date

• building birdhouses to be placed on poles
• Jeanne suggested beginning composting programme with bins located just outside west door against the fence and that parental help could be enlisted (Mr. Devinish) for the construction

• letter sent to Friends Of the Environment
• letter sent to Stevenson’s
• copy of invoice needed for Marius
• an update on project should be sent to CN
• a letter should be sent to Holland Park Garden Gallery in Burlington for donation of seeds
• letter to be sent to Dykstra family
• seeking an idea "in the Project" as a way to say thank you to Debby Morton
• letter to be sent to Evergreen expressing our appreciation for Debby’s expertise.

• letter to be sent to Sheridan Nurseries re: school programme for Arbor Week
• investigation should begin into watering system for front and back areas. How? Who?
• grade 5 visioning should begin for back pergola
• David Mortimer could assist
• project should be linked with a community partner ($$$)
• "Help Needed List" could be established

NATURALIZATION COMMITTEE MEETING - March 31, 1998 - 7:00 P.M.


PRESENT: Jeanne Mortimer, Kathy Batycky, Maggie Linton, Bob van der Hoop, Marius de Bruyn, Phyllis Kingsley, Sona van der Hoop, Liz Barnett, Karen Brock, Nicole Ouellette-Panabaker, Debbie Morton, Gwen McNair

UPDATE:

1. Finance applications/budget proposals
Now that the conceptual site plan is ready we can begin to submit applications to various organizations for funds. Both Shell Environment Fund and Canada Trust require that a budget be submitted with the application for funds. Karen has prepared a 2 page submission detailing the history of our project. Maggie and Jeanne will pursue the submission, adding in-kind contributions, indicating the amount of time and energy already invested in this project. The dollar value of these contributions will also be included to add some weight to our submission. We will apply to both projects, but ask for money for different phases from them. Karen will contact both people responsible for these funds to ensure that we are applying at the right time and are including all the necessary information to ensure approval.
Action: Jeanne, Karen, Maggie

Marius will prepare this budget detailing costs for plants, trees and shrubs. Jeanne and Maggie will prepare a little blurb to go along with the budget.
Action: Jeanne, Maggie, Marius

2. Public Relations
Thank you letters for people in our community who participated in our presentation meeting will be sent (Oakville Blue Printing and Framing & Art Centre). Sona has written the notes, they are on disk and will be kept in a central location so that notes can be sent promptly.
Action: Sona

3. Earth Day
April 22nd is Earth Day. The Green Party of Ontario is willing to provide funds to have Johnny Biosphere come to Sunningdale and do a presentation to students in grade 3, 4 and 5. The topics he addresses are acid rain, the protection of the ozone layer, environmental ethics, food and nutrition. Liz Barnett will look into this. No publicity for the Green Party can accompany this presentation.
Action: Liz

Also, John McNeil at Parks and Recreation will be contacting the school to tell us when a sugar maple will be delivered to us. A grade 4 class will plant this tree near the grade 2 and 3 lines. This should not interfere with any other plans.

4. Ministry of the Environment
A contest to name the Sunningdale Naturalization Project will be held. The prize is ready. It consists of a clay pot, a trowel, gummy worms.

5. In School Communication/Model
The tree "planted" in our front hall has been approved by the fire marshal and has already started "blooming".

6. Spring Projects (Phase 1)

• One of the tulip trees planted needs to be replanted at a higher level as it is drowning. A family should be involved in digging it up and replanting it. It was suggested that we ask the Ross family to do this.
  Action: Jeanne to contact the Ross’
  
  
• The Sunflower garden will be replanted. Last year's crop will be used, as will a $20.00 gift certificate. McKenzie Seeds could be contacted once again for seed.
  
  
• When and if funds are allocated work parties should be organized to allow for the building of the fence, the pergola, the logs, chess boards.... More information will be sent to the parents through the Sunningdale Newsletter.
  Action: Jeanne
  
  
• Part 1 will involve creating a woodland forest in the front area, with bench (set in concrete) and interpretive signage to act as a window to the project going on in the back yard.
  
  
• Part 2: Three trees (red oak, 90mm) will also be planted to provide shade to the kindergarten room and a terraced area will be created on the muddy hill behind the school. This area will also become a butterfly garden and a vegetable garden. Retaining walls will be needed. It would be wise to contact companies (Allan Block) who manufacture these blocks to see if they will let us have them at cost in exchange for recognition on our sponsor sign. Brick or stone retaining walls are sturdier and more environmentally friendly than treated wood walls.
  Action: Marius to contact Allan Block
  
  
• Part 3 will involve building a split cedar fence around the parking lot near the large tree. Logs will be strategically placed to provide a seating area, some logs will be cut and chess boards will be set into them. (plans are available, Mel, Maggie's husband, can cut them)
  Action: Maggie

• A pergola will be constructed behind the new addition to provide a pathway for the children. Vines and climbing plants will be planted at the base of the pergola and will eventually wrap the posts in greenery.
  
• Trellises will be built to shade the junior wing. Once again, vines and climbing plants will be planted at the base of the posts and will provide shade in the summer. Plants which lose their foliage should be chosen, to ensure that the area gets enough sun in the winter.

NATURALIZATION COMMITTEE MEETING - February 17, 1998 - 7:00 P.M.


PRESENT: Phyllis Kingsley, Debby Morton, Gwen McNair, Sona van der Hoop, Marius de Bruyn, Garrit Buitenhaus, Maggie Linton, Nicole Oulette-Panabaker, Liz Barnett, Jeanne Mortimer, Chris Alexiou, Karen Brock

UPDATE:

1. Student Involvement

• More wood chips being spread by our children
• Sunflower seeds have been counted and the activity will be completed by March 1, 1998
• Maggie is picking up bog plants from McMaster to grow in the school
• Parents/students will be building large permanent bird houses
• The Ministry will run a contest for the name of the project before March Break

• We need a volunteer committee to help with the "vine concept"
  • it is very labour intensive
  • discussion about the manageability of this concept and the possibility of changing it
  • the concept of a tree in the foyer or different classes being responsible for the foyer each month
  • Marius suggested we look at safety/fire issues if we want a tree in foyer
  • Maggie suggested children need to view visioning things and photos etc.
  • Jean will put ad in newsletter for volunteers for this committee

• visioning pictures will be on display at the auction, March 6, 1998

Karen discussed her efforts to get seedlings for each child and the road blocks - they need to be planted on site. If planted in a tree nursery area on the property they could survive.

Marius needs names of Sponsors and Marius needs pictures to be scanned.
Action: Chris/Cecile Leach/Marius


Next Meeting - February 24, 1997 - 1200 Noon: SPECIAL MEETING - PRESENTATION OF MASTER PLAN TO COMMITTEE