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Perth Avenue Public School/St. Luigi Catholic School
Field of Dreams: If you build it, they will run
With this grant we hope to attain a poured rubber track for approximately 600 students from Perth and St. Luigi Schools as well as 140 children from the Dovercourt Boys and Girls Club. Perth Avenue Public School and St. Luigi Catholic School are a joint TDSB/TCDSB schools servicing students from JK -Grade 8. Our area is a vibrant inner city school/community located in the South Junction Triangle. Our multicultural student population represents over 16 different language groups. Presently our playground is a barren flat stretch of pavement. We hope to begin to develop it into a community resource to improve the physical health of the students and families in our neighbourhood. We know that physical activity in children prevents various health problems, and this project provides a positive active focus for our community, its children and youth. This community faces challenges such as: 1. in 1965, the previous school building was demolished and was buried under asphalt. The schoolyard has since remained a barren and desolate field. Excavation of the debris is infeasible and alternative synthetic surfaces, such as poured rubber and synthetic turf, are our only options yet are outside of the school’s operational budget or fundraising ability. 2. there is a lack of year round sports and recreation facilities in the area. 3. railway tracks bordering on both the west and east borders creates an isolated community and reduces the frequency and accessibility of trips to sports and recreation facilities outside the neighbourhood for children in the community. 4. 33% of families in this area make below $29,000. At this income level only 39% of students partake in sports activities outside of school according to the TDSB”s 2011 Census. 5. the lack of facilities is one reason many families choose to attend schools outside of this school district. Parents that are more attuned to school choices tend to be more highly educated and have higher incomes. The student population remaining at Perth consists of higher concentrations of disadvantaged students, which widens the socio-economic gap. Many of the most involved parents have left the school creating low parent engagement, which is needed to foster improvements to the school. Anticipating the fulfillment of our plans, our students will then participate in safe, fun playground activities, increased physical activity, decreased playground conflict and bullying. The schoolyard’s facilities would be available to families regardless of their economic situation, physical ability and age creating a community-type centre.
Project Goals
Plans Perth has created a Schoolyard Enhancement Committee to develop plans and priorities for the school and its students. Its consists of two main components; Healthy Active Living and Aesthetic Improvements. Murals have been painted along the walls and doors of the schoolyard and two indestructible steel soccer nets have been erected. Phase one will be complete with the addition of two Basketball Fun Nets. To date, the School Advisory Council has raised $5200.00. In phase two, the Schoolyard Enhancement Committee intends to begin the construction of its sports facility and outdoor classroom. Our goal is to create an artificial turf and surrounding track with various fitness stations around the yard. Due to the fact that the playground contains the rubble from the previous building, the school is limited in what it can do to enhance the school yard. Removal of the debris is costly and infeasible and additions to the playground are restricted. Grass and trees are restricted to the edge of the playground or in raised beds. Alternative synthetic surfaces, such as poured rubber and synthetic turf, are our only options yet are outside of the school’s operational budget or fundraising ability. A poured rubber track is dream we hope to fulfill with this grant. Physical activity can improve academic performance, creativity and productivity, while reducing the likelihood of smoking, alcohol and drug use. This project provides a positive active focus for our community, its children and youth. During recess, after-school and curriculum based programs, students will participate in safe, fun playground activities, increased physical activity, decreased playground conflict and bullying. Students from low-income families struggling with family unemployment, poor nutrition and limited opportunities for recreation, require a safe space at school to foster self-esteem and self-confidence. Sports-based recreation programming will enhance student’s lives by meeting these needs. Improvements to the schoolyard will help to meet the needs of parents when selecting schools, thus retaining more economically diverse families and renewing this inner city neighbourhood. In addition St. Luigi’s school and its 350 students, which shares the playground, will also benefit from improvements. The schoolyard’s facilities would be available to families regardless of their economic situation, physical ability and age. The facility would be available over a large portion of the day and throughout most of the year. Other community partners would benefit from improvements to the schoolyards, such as the Dovercourt Boys and Girls Club, the Running Club and the Track and Field Clubs. This project will benefit the students and the community now and in the future, thus leaving a legacy.
