Ecole Parc Elementaire uses community grant to make better use of outdoor learning space

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Ecole Parc Elementarie in Fort Saskatchewan is using its Dow Canada Community Grant to upgrade its outdoor classroom.

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Ecole Parc Elementaire was one of the recipients of DOW CanadaCommunity grants from in December 2021.

On Sunday, November 17, 2021, Dow Canada announced the recipients of its community grants. “Following Philanthropy Day on November 15 and ahead of Giving Tuesday on November 30, Dow is pleased to announce the recipients of the $60,000 community grants that have been developed to commemorate 60 years of operations safe and reliable products from Dow in Alberta,” the company shared in a press release.

“Through social investment, common purpose and meaningful impact, Dow is committed to helping build more resilient communities. The Community Grants Program will provide funding to local organizations in the Heartland and Red Deer areas,” the statement continued.

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Ecole Parc Elementaire put the money towards curb activity templates and teaching materials for use with students in the outdoor classroom, also known as the terrestrial learning space.

“The stencils were originally scheduled to be installed in May and June of this year, but Mother Nature had other plans. Last week, with the help of three DOW Canada volunteers, we installed the stencils. And they have the looking amazing,” shared Jennifer Dechaine, Chairman of the School Council of Ecole Parc.

“Stencils are a variety of activities with a nature theme and highlight the seven sacred aboriginal teachings students learn inside Land-Based Learning Initiative with Elk Island Public Schools. The stencils can be used hundreds of times and will be made available for other schools and organizations to borrow,” Dechaine explained. “Our dedication to the land-based learning initiative has taken our standard school playground and transformed it into a diverse, engaging, accessible and nature-focused outdoor space for play and learning. We still have the swings and slides, but now with the move to the land-based learning concept, our green space has so much more and the students love it. »

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In 2018, Dow Canada provided one of the first grants the school had received, which began its green space transformation. “NOTnow, five years later, they are helping us finish it,” Dechaine said.

The 15 community grant recipients were selected by a committee comprised of Dow employees and community members. The committee evaluated the applications based on how the funding will support the community in Dow’s three strategic areas: advancing durable solutions; building inclusive communities; and developing tomorrow’s innovators while engaging employees for impact.

Recipients included the area non-profit organization Sleep in Heavenly Peace, the Families First Society and several local schools.

“As a partner in the communities where we operate, we understand the importance of contributing to organizations that provide solutions to society’s most pressing challenges,” said Adrianne Lovric, director of public affairs at Dow Canada.

“Through our Global Citizenship Program, Dow strives to create long-term, sustainable change for communities and regions. What better way to thank our communities who have supported us for so many years, than by giving back.

For more information about the program, visit www.dowcanada.com.

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