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Appreciation ceremony inaugurates Re-Wilding Centre at Grand Forks elementary

Dr. D. A. Perley’s Sharon Peron thanked community leaders and school colleagues for their help getting the project off the ground
Laurie Tritschler
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Perley Elementary’s Sharon Peron thanked a long list of community sponsors whose generosity made the Re-Wilding Centre a reality. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

Students and staff at Dr. D. A. Perley Elementary School joined community leaders out for a long-overdue ceremony at the school’s Re-Wilding Centre Thursday, Oct. 7.

The outdoor classroom at the southeast corner of the school’s grass field has become a popular spot for journaling, drawing and science education, she said, according to teacher Sharon Peron, who emceed the ceremony.

(L-R) School District 51’s (SD 51’s) Carol Mitchell, the Grand Forks Credit Union’s Jeff Fero and Terry Woodruff, SD 51’s elder in residence Joan Holmes, Perley teacher Sharon Peron, vice principal Kirsten Rezansoff, Mayor Brian Taylor and Coun. Kathy Korolek pose for a photo in front of Perley Elementary’s Re-Wilding Centre Thursday, Oct. 7. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
(L-R) School District 51’s (SD 51’s) Carol Mitchell, the Grand Forks Credit Union’s Jeff Fero and Terry Woodruff, SD 51’s elder in residence Joan Holmes, Perley teacher Sharon Peron, vice principal Kirsten Rezansoff, Mayor Brian Taylor and Coun. Kathy Korolek pose for a photo in front of Perley Elementary’s Re-Wilding Centre Thursday, Oct. 7. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

“This has been a long time coming,” she told The Gazette, explaining that Pereley administrators had hoped to bring the community together for a show of thanks last fall.

The center was her brainchild, but Peron said it took a community to realize her vision.

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Work got underway in the fall of 2018, when Peron said Roly Russell, then Area D director, encouraged her to apply for a grant from the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary, whose $5,000 of “seed money” got the ball rolling. Ken Minette and Bob Chapman, Boundary School Superintendent and Perley principal at the time, were already onboard, she said.

The Grand Forks Credit Union’s Jeff Fero was on-hand for Thursday’s ceremony at the Re-Wilding Centre (Oct.7). Photo: Laurie Tritschler
The Grand Forks Credit Union’s Jeff Fero was on-hand for Thursday’s ceremony at the Re-Wilding Centre (Oct.7). Photo: Laurie Tritschler

Among a litany of community donors whose generosity moved the project forward, Peron gave special thanks to the Grand Forks Credit Union, whose $15,000 Fall Grant paid for building materials and plants in 2019.

Peron also thanked Perley’s Sarah Orlowski, Tree Canada rep Randy Trerise and the school district’s Carol Mitchell, whose botanical and artistic expertise went into the garden’s design.

Be sure to pick up The Gazette’s Oct. 13 print edition for pictures of Perley kids at Thursday’s event.

 

@ltritsch1
laurie.tritschler@grandforksgazette.ca
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laurie.tritschler@boundarycreektimes.com
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