Building a legacy in their own backyard

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This article was published 25/05/2022 (1448 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NORWOOD

A community at Nelson McIntyre Collegiate is busy building a legacy.

A group of staff and students at the Norwood-based school is currently working on a major initiative it has named its “backyard revitalization project.”

At the heart of the project — which is governed by an in-house steering committee — lies the reimagining of the school’s green space, which is an extension of Nelson Mac’s years-long reimagination of its learning model.

It’s a student-initiated project that focuses on the key question of how the school’s community can use its exterior space to extend and reflect the learning that goes on inside the school, while also being accessible to the wider communities of Norwood, St. Boniface, and St. Vital.

Under the guidance of HTFC Planning & Design that has been contracted to design the project, the students have come up with a space that reflects the school’s reimagined approach to 21st century learning, and it aims to encompass the foundational pillars of reconciliation and land-based learning; inclusivity and accessibility; healthy living and lifestyles; food security; and climate action.

The blueprints for the project include about a dozen key elements, including an upgraded running track and soccer field, a full-sized basketball court with seating, an outdoor classroom, and an Indigenous learning space.

“This is an ambitious project that stems from students’ desire to improve their school, and their community,” Charlene Smallwood, the school’s principal, said. “They want to build an inclusive gathering place that brings everyone together to learn and share.”

Smallwood said the space contains “a variety of sections that underscore community and school needs” that include the removal of physical and sensory barriers to make the space more all-inclusive, including the fitness options; a community garden, science and agricultural lab and community orchard that will enhance food security.

The school now has the funds to start the first phase of the project this spring, which includes the Indigenous land-based learning classroom and basketball court.

Students are currently pitching their ideas to potential sponsors, and donations are still being encouraged and gratefully accepted to help further the project along.

Noting that lots of the school’s alumni remain committed to the project, Smallwood said one of the most gratifying parts of the initiative is that it involves students in multiple years, and when the current class of 2022 have graduated, others will step in and take the reins.

Two of the current crop of Nelson Mac’s students on the project’s steering committee are Grade 11 student Maeryn Rempel, 17, and Grade 10 student Mercy Ajibola, 15.

Ajibola is excited to see the realization of the project and said the closeness of the school’s community helps it understand the community’s diverse needs.

“There’s a need in the community for accessible spaces and Indigenous spaces where anyone can go to,” she said.

“It’s also really important to hear feedback from different people about the project, and it’s nice to see people get passionate something that you are.”

Rempel agreed it’s been valuable experience receiving feedback after pitching the project to different public figures, including St. Boniface MLA Dougald Lamont and St. Vital MLA Jamie Moses.

“I think they both received the project really well. I know some people have been surprised when they see our plans, and think they’ve been really well received, especially because of how inclusive the plans are.”

Go online at www.lrsd.net/schools/nmc/news/pages/the-nmc-backyard-revitalization-project.aspx for more information, or to donate to the project.