August 30th, 2019

Dear Keatsway Community,

I hope you have had a wonderful summer thus far.

You may have noticed that we have made some wonderful improvements to our parking lot and front tarmac – and it looks fantastic!

You may be wondering about the pavement area where the flag pole is that was left untouched. We are very excited to share with you that we have partnered with Depave, a non-profit agency that is going to help beautify this area and create an outdoor learning environment for our students and community this fall.

Depave Paradise addresses the proliferation of hard surfaces in modern urban environments that interrupt the natural water cycle and cause the urban heat island effect. Depave Paradise works with local organizations at highly visible sites to stage how-to workbees, during which volunteers “liberate the soil” from pavement. Native plants, bushes and trees are then planted to act as filters for stormwater runoff, increase habitat, sequester carbon, improve air quality, and reduce heat island effect. The process is a way to teach our children about urban ecology and the water cycle.

We are very excited about this upcoming project. Our students in Grade 6 have designed the area to make the school more welcoming and functional by adding in trees for shade and space for students to engage in nature play.

We will need YOUR help!!! In the early fall, we are going to have a “special day”, where we ask for volunteers to help us remove the asphalt one day. The next day, community members and students will help us plant and build the new space. We will need support in terms of volunteers and supplies or donations.

More information will follow shortly. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at any time!

Thank you kindly,

Mrs. P. Miller