North haven school naturalization

What’s the plan?

North Haven School is planning a naturalization project called the North Haven Learning Grounds.

Students have actively participated in planning the North Haven Learning Grounds, making observations of the schoolyard, and creating project designs.

Please click on the ‘Learn More’ button below to visit the North Haven Parent Association website for updates and more detail on the project, or support our project by using the ‘Donate Now’ button! All donations over $25 are eligible for a tax receipt.

The winning concept following student voting, (shown above), was created by a Grade 5 student.

Principal’s Message

The North Haven School Learning Grounds is a schoolyard naturalization project located at the heart of our community. The school initiated this project to inspire our students and families to appreciate our natural region of Canada, respect the indigenous peoples of this territory and maintain a healthy active lifestyle. As teachers, we have studied and experienced the fact that spending time in nature helps with recall and memory, problem solving, and creativity. Children (and adults) who spend more time outside are also physically and emotionally healthier.   

We know that children learn best by experiencing and doing, and that spending time outside is the best way to begin to foster children’s relationship with nature. We want our community members to have a space to learn about how their daily actions impact their natural environment and their personal health. Our goal is to teach in a natural environment so that students and their families will feel compelled to protect what they will come to understand and feel connected to, and to be active on a regular basis.  

Our North Haven Learning Grounds Committee, the staff, and our students know that it important to take collective action when tackling our most pressing environmental and personal health challenges. We have had tremendous support from community parents.  A small group has joined together to raise funds and awareness.  We’d like to thank them and all North Haven Community members for working together to make North Haven a great place to live and learn.  Joining together to achieve a common goal can be a powerful force for change. We look forward to continued work on this project which has inspired a strong sense of community. 

Sincerely, 

Lisa McConnell 

North Haven School