February 11, 1997
Centennial OWLS Committee Members
The Centennial OWLS was dedicated May 6, 1996, in an Arbor Day ceremony at Centennial gym. The students in gradfes one through six each planted either a Colorado Blue Spruce, Hanson's Hedge Rose, Buffaloberry, Juneberry or Chokecherry tree with a stake having the name of the child planting the tree. We also planted Virginia Creeper and three Burr Oak which were purchased cy the PTO and dedicated to the 1996 sixth grade class.
The trees were watered by the students in the spring with rainfall providing enough moisture in the summer. The trees were cultivated and weeds pulled by volunteers throughout the summer.
The pond was built by a crew from Buildings and Grounds. We obtained the rocks from the Ithica Heights construction site. The rocks were moved by bobcat and paced on the east embankment of the pond. The pond held water with no liner most of the summer. The students have seeded cattails in the pond. We plan to plant more water plants in the pond this spring.
We have planted a large bed of wildflowers. We plan to expand this bed in the spring and reseed some of the original bed.
During the fall hunting season, Centennial parents donated various bird heads, wings and feet which are being preserved and labeled to be kept as a resource for students and teachers. We also have donations of antlers and horns which will be labeled.
We have ordered hand puppets of animals and insects which will be used by teachers and students. There will be other materials ordered and used in our wildlife education program.
We have held a bake sale as a fund raising project in addition to activities sponsored by the student council to raise funds for Centennial OWLS. The Centennial PTO has given funds to the OWLS project. The students, staff and parents continue to recycle for which we receive money for aluminium cans which goes to the OWLS. The student council and PTO hold a monthly popcorn sale from which half of the money raised goes to OWLS.
In the spring of 1997, we plan to plant the natural grasses, replace trees which have died and plant additional fruit trees and shade trees. We plan to work on the walking path this spring. The extent of our work on the path depends on the cost of materials and our funds. Benches and a sign are projects which remain to be completed as well as continued maintenance of the site.