July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Greenhouse construction underway (01/20/2009)
By By ROBERT BANSER-
DUNKIRK - While it may be frigidly cold on the outside, a multitude of warm thoughts are emanating from inside Westlawn Elementary School.
After months of preparation and anticipation, students, teachers and administrators are preparing for a flurry of activity this week to make the Foster Gardens greenhouse project a success.
Named in honor of Westlawn life skills class first grade student Dalton Foster who died unexpectedly in his sleep about a year ago, the greenhouse will provide learning opportunities for all the pupils at Westlawn. The idea to build it in memory of Dalton came from life skills class teacher James "Mr. Jim" Roberts who is currently on medical leave from his teaching duties, battling a life threatening disease himself. That's one reason why organizers want the greenhouse completed as soon as possible, despite the adverse weather conditions. The goal to complete the exterior structure of the greenhouse is Saturday, with hopes to schedule a dedication ceremony as soon as possible after that.
Saturday is the first anniversary of Dalton's death.
Project supporters wanted to finish the project as soon as possible in order that Roberts would still be well enough to attend the dedication ceremony and witness the project's completion.
"Our goal (of having a structure complete by Saturday) is now within reach," Westlawn principal Jeff Davis reported.
The current siege of wintry weather is the primary obstacle to overcome in meeting that deadline at this point.
A drive to raise $10,500 for the facility has already exceeded that goal by $140.
With the greenhouse construction package already in place, this new money will be used for related equipment and outside landscaping, Roberts said.
"We've had a lot of generous donors," Roberts added.
"It's looking real good, and God blesses us everyday," Roberts said.
Roberts started the fund-raising drive to honor Dalton's memory - a youngster that despite his own physical limitations loved to see and experience the joys of nurturing flowers and plants. However, shortly after initiating the greenhouse fund-raising drive, Roberts learned that he was facing a battle with pancreatic cancer himself, and would have to take a leave of absence from his teaching duties.
Nevertheless, Roberts and other friends of Dalton have persisted in their planning and fund-raising efforts for the project.
Sections of the greenhouse arrived in crates last week from the manufacturer in Canada, and are now awaiting assembly. They have temporarily been placed inside a storage building at nearby West Jay Middle School in Dunkirk. The assembly work is scheduled to take place this week by school personnel, Davis said, once final site preparations are completed and shelter for workers from the harsh winter weather is erected in the form of a temporary protective structure, Davis said.
The additional money given by donors will be used for related equipment and outside landscaping, Roberts said.
"We've had a lot of generous donors," Mr. Jim added.
Roberts said his own health and spirits are continuing to remain good. "I get tired, but I try to stay active," Roberts said.
He said that he wanted to especially thank Dunkirk businessman Rock Fuqua for helping with the greenhouse project, as well as helping his family personally.
Rock's been a big donor, and "a real good friend," Roberts said. "He's really helped out my family quite a bit, and he's not finished yet," Mr. Jim said about Fuqua.
Meanwhile Jay School Corporation officials and school board members have also joined the efforts to make the greenhouse project a reality.
At a school board meeting in November, Roberts was honored with a Star of Character Award, and Jay Schools superintendent Dr. Tim Long said, "There needs to be all kinds of Jim Roberts in the world. We're going to make sure these efforts on the greenhouse happen."
Donations to the Foster Gardens greenhouse project may be addressed to Westlawn Elementary School, 234 W. Pearl St., Dunkirk, IN, 47336.[[In-content Ad]]
After months of preparation and anticipation, students, teachers and administrators are preparing for a flurry of activity this week to make the Foster Gardens greenhouse project a success.
Named in honor of Westlawn life skills class first grade student Dalton Foster who died unexpectedly in his sleep about a year ago, the greenhouse will provide learning opportunities for all the pupils at Westlawn. The idea to build it in memory of Dalton came from life skills class teacher James "Mr. Jim" Roberts who is currently on medical leave from his teaching duties, battling a life threatening disease himself. That's one reason why organizers want the greenhouse completed as soon as possible, despite the adverse weather conditions. The goal to complete the exterior structure of the greenhouse is Saturday, with hopes to schedule a dedication ceremony as soon as possible after that.
Saturday is the first anniversary of Dalton's death.
Project supporters wanted to finish the project as soon as possible in order that Roberts would still be well enough to attend the dedication ceremony and witness the project's completion.
"Our goal (of having a structure complete by Saturday) is now within reach," Westlawn principal Jeff Davis reported.
The current siege of wintry weather is the primary obstacle to overcome in meeting that deadline at this point.
A drive to raise $10,500 for the facility has already exceeded that goal by $140.
With the greenhouse construction package already in place, this new money will be used for related equipment and outside landscaping, Roberts said.
"We've had a lot of generous donors," Roberts added.
"It's looking real good, and God blesses us everyday," Roberts said.
Roberts started the fund-raising drive to honor Dalton's memory - a youngster that despite his own physical limitations loved to see and experience the joys of nurturing flowers and plants. However, shortly after initiating the greenhouse fund-raising drive, Roberts learned that he was facing a battle with pancreatic cancer himself, and would have to take a leave of absence from his teaching duties.
Nevertheless, Roberts and other friends of Dalton have persisted in their planning and fund-raising efforts for the project.
Sections of the greenhouse arrived in crates last week from the manufacturer in Canada, and are now awaiting assembly. They have temporarily been placed inside a storage building at nearby West Jay Middle School in Dunkirk. The assembly work is scheduled to take place this week by school personnel, Davis said, once final site preparations are completed and shelter for workers from the harsh winter weather is erected in the form of a temporary protective structure, Davis said.
The additional money given by donors will be used for related equipment and outside landscaping, Roberts said.
"We've had a lot of generous donors," Mr. Jim added.
Roberts said his own health and spirits are continuing to remain good. "I get tired, but I try to stay active," Roberts said.
He said that he wanted to especially thank Dunkirk businessman Rock Fuqua for helping with the greenhouse project, as well as helping his family personally.
Rock's been a big donor, and "a real good friend," Roberts said. "He's really helped out my family quite a bit, and he's not finished yet," Mr. Jim said about Fuqua.
Meanwhile Jay School Corporation officials and school board members have also joined the efforts to make the greenhouse project a reality.
At a school board meeting in November, Roberts was honored with a Star of Character Award, and Jay Schools superintendent Dr. Tim Long said, "There needs to be all kinds of Jim Roberts in the world. We're going to make sure these efforts on the greenhouse happen."
Donations to the Foster Gardens greenhouse project may be addressed to Westlawn Elementary School, 234 W. Pearl St., Dunkirk, IN, 47336.[[In-content Ad]]
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