Nelson McIntyre’s Backyard Project

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/12/2021 (1058 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s hard to believe it’s December 2021. Each of us in the Louis Riel School Division have adjusted and readjusted to the changes necessitated by the pandemic.

Our community has spent the last 20-plus months pushing through our limitations and discovering that our capabilities were far beyond what we thought possible. Many of our students are now back to a more regular learning routine alongside their peers, participating in sports, playing music, discovering their passions and so much more.

Education has a way of presenting new paths. The inspiration in teaching and learning has united us through the pandemic. Together, we found ways to be kind and supportive. Whether its through virtual or in-person classes, we continued to build and nurture relationships.

I am truly grateful to work alongside our staff, parents, guardians, and grandparents. Thank you for your voices, expertise, and commitment to creating an engaging learning space for our students to flourish through this challenging time.  

As we approach the holiday season, it is important to celebrate our tremendous accomplishments and reflect on the incredible learning and growth happening in the LRSD.   

I had the opportunity to get involved with many projects in our school division during the first half of the school year and I would like to highlight one very special student-led project that embodies a true sense of community — the Nelson McIntyre Collegiate Backyard Project.

The current school grounds at NMC don’t reflect the excellence happening inside the school. The school went through a significant transformation and now it’s time for the back yard to see a similar refurbishment. The project includes an outdoor classroom, an Indigenous learning space and sweat lodge as well as enhanced seating areas.

It is an audacious plan, but our students said if we can dream big, we can achieve big, and I share that same level of optimism. There is no question if we rally together and champion this important community project, we will see it come to fruition.

We have experienced so much change in our lives owing to COVID-19 over the past two years, but projects such as this show that innovation, collaboration, and resilience are still at the heart of everything we do in LRSD. Please take the upcoming holiday season to rest and recharge, safely reconnect with your family, friends, and loved ones.

If you want to provide feedback, participate, or learn more about the NMC Backyard Project, please contact the school.

Louise Johnston is a Ward 1 trustee and chair of the Louis Riel School Division.