Vincent Massey Public School Unveils $90,000 Aviva Community Fund Kinder Garden

** Vincent ** ** ** ** Massey ** ** ** ** Public School ** ** Unveils $90,000 Aviva Community Fund ** ** Kinder Garden ** **

 Tuesday, November 18, 2014

** **

 1:30

**

 2:15 pm

** ** 7445 Smyth Road **

The wait is over! After more than a year of planning, promoting and eventually winning $90,000 in the Aviva Community Fund competition, Vincent Massey Public School is about to unveil its first naturalized playground.   The Kinder Garden playground is a naturalized space that will focus on encouraging physical activity, mental stimulation and improved social skills. The plan is to include activity tables, sitting stones and a “no mow” area to attract bugs and non-cultivated plants.  Principal, Katia Sioufi says, “Each element of this project confers unique benefits. Increased naturalization fosters inquiry learning among the children, and will also improve concentration, reduce stress and improve overall mental health. While, painted asphalt games and play areas will improve literacy, numeracy, creativity and increase physical activity. The new play structure will help children develop physical strength, coordination and balance, as well as a variety of social/cognitive skills.”   Ms. Sioufi added, that this undertaking has been a genuine school community effort from start to finish and that commitment continues as the school greening committee plans to assist with maintaining all naturalization aspects of the Kinder Garden area.   The proud principal says, “Some of the aspects of the naturalized space cannot be seen by the eye but rather can be felt in the spirit of the children who will now have a place to play that builds the kind of free-and-easy, try-it-out, do-it-yourself character that children need to boost their belief in themselves.”   The official ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for

Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at 1:30

to

2:15 pm

.  The school is located at 745 Symth Road.  This is the first time the students will get the opportunity to play in their new garden.   Vincent Massey is a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 school with a current enrollment of about 640 students, representing over 50 countries and a range of socio-economic backgrounds.