Media Releases

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Good Things Are Happening

BRIGHTVIEW SCHOOL OPENS NATURESCAPE

On Friday, June 19 at 1:30 p.m., Brightview School will officially open its Naturescape. The outdoor classroom, located in front of the school, consists of gardens featuring indigenous plants, shrubs, trees and an amphitheatre area with rock and log seating. Students will use the learner-friendly space to study everything from language arts to mathematics.

Although the project began as the dream of teacher Linda Wight, the design of the unique setting is the product of the student's imaginations as all students were invited to submit drawings or suggestions of what they felt the outdoor classroom should look like. Students also played an integral part in helping choose and plant foliage that specifically reflect the Aboriginal culture. The Naturescape, funded by Mayfield Toyota, the Brightview Parent's Advisory Committee and the Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds program, took less than a year to complete.

The dedication ceremony will begin with an opening blessing and smudge by an Elder and the unveiling of a 'peace pole', inscribed with the words 'May Peace Prevail on Earth' in English, Cree and French. The monument is dedicated to bringing the message of harmony to school, to the home, to the community and to the world. Joining in the school's ceremony will be members of the Bent Arrow Healing Society.

Brightview principal, Tony Kernaghan adds, "The Naturescape is really beautiful and has changed the front of our school both physically and culturally. It is our hope that it will become a place for students, staff and community members to meet and learn while also bringing awareness on how important the surrounding community is to our school's vitality. We would like the space to become a living legacy."

For further information, contact:
Tony Kernaghan, Principal
Brightview School
15425 - 106 Avenue
780.484.6631