OUR BUILD DAY IS OVER

So as luck would have it, no luck was needed, our build day was a huge success. Many thanks to all of our sponsors and volunteers for supporting such a worth while project.

What was once a dream you have helped make it become a reality.


BUILD DAY IS HERE

Today is build day and we all are so excited, there is lots to do and many volunteers have registered to give us a helping hand. So wish us luck and here we go.

About Our School

My Photo
School Population- 260 Students
Staff- 30
2 School Street, Sydney Mines, B1V 1R3

The Naming Of Our Playground

When we found out that we had to name the playground after someone who had a large impact on our community or a fallen soulder, it did not take us long to come us with the name "Miner's Memorial Playground. Mining had a large impact on this community for many years, and within those years there were men even young boys who lost their lives down under ground in the mines.

Please take a few moments to read the history of mining in our community and you to will see why it was an easy choice.

History of Sydney Mines

Sydney Mines (pop. 8,501) grew up around the rich coal fields of Sydney Harbor and one pit - Princess Colliery - operated continuously for 100 years, from 1875 to 1975. In that time, Princess produced 30 million tons of coal.

The first mining took place in 1766 along the exposed seams of the harbor cliffs. When the General Mining Association took over Cape Breton coal mining in 1827, the area was simply known as "The Mines." Sydney Mines' first house, owned by R. Brown, dates from this era (1829) and still stands at 32 Brown St.

By the turn of the century, Sydney Mines was one of the top coal producing communities in North America. Workers came from Italy, Poland , Germany, Lithuania, Austria, England, Scotland, Nigera and Wales to work in the mines.

A steel plant opened in 1902 and much of the town's infrastructure - sewer, water, electricity, paved streets - was established at that time.

In 1932, Sydney Mines' population peaked at 10,000.

Founded in 1784 and incorporated as a town in 1889, Sydney Mines has a rich history in coal production, although mining activity has now ceased.

Sydney Mines is on the northern side of Sydney Harbor, near the mouth. It was earlier known as the Mines due to the coal mines abundant nearby.

NEWS AND EVENTS


PENNY DRIVE

Our school had a penny drive, every class took part. The class that raised the most pennies won a pizza party which was the grade 1's! Our school raised about $2,500 hundred dollars! Tasha Lee from 101.9 THE GIANT and some of her friends donated their pennies. A big thank you to them!

SILENT AUCTION

May 7th was our second fundraiser, it was a silent auction. People were bidding on Barbeques, Tim Hortons Gift Packes, Avon Gift Baskets, Ratchford Photographic Sitting fee's, Car Maintenance Certificates and many more. It was a big success!!



Our Fundraising Goal

Our goal is to raise $97,700, to date we have raised $90,000, we have $ 7,700 more to go. Each day we are getting closer and closer to our goal. We have gotten a wounderful response to date. We are on the home streach, we know we can do it. It is for the kids.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Cape Breton Post Article

This article recently appeared in our Local Newspaper





If they build it, kids will play

Let Them Be Kids program aiding in construction of new playground in Sydney Mines


JULIE COLLINS The Cape Breton Post

SYDNEY MINES — St. Joseph’s Elementary School in Sydney Mines and surrounding community is without a playground — but not for long.A playground will be in place this fall, thanks in part to the assistance of Let Them Be Kids, an Ontario-based initiative which helps communities build playgrounds along with donations from community groups and individuals.The program gives the school $1 of equipment buying power for every 60 cents the school raises to help cover the cost of the new playground. “Over the years we’ve been able to buy a piece here and there, but that method doesn’t work,” said group member Michelle MacDonald. “It is going to cost about $95,000 to build an all-access playground and we are over half the way there. We hope to have the infrastructure and the all-access pathways in place when the playground equipment for the new Miner’s Memorial Playground is installed on Oct. 17.”The name honours the rich mining heritage of Sydney Mines and surrounding communities.The students of St. Joseph’s did their share of fundraising bringing in $2,500 in pennies. The students also had input into the type of equipment selected for the playground.“Really, this is all about kids,” MacDonald said. “Not just the children at St. Joseph’s, but the any child in the community who wants to, will be able to use the playground.”As part of it’s fundraising initiative which includes barbecues, dances and a silent auction, the parents support group will feature a memory wall in honour of miner’s from the local area. “We are looking for volunteers to assist with the fundraising, but also to help on Oct. 17 when we construct the playground,” MacDonald said. “There is going to be a lot to do that day, so we are hoping to get between 300 or 400 volunteers. This project is important, not just for the kids, but for our community. It’s a chance for people to come together in support of a good cause and shows our children what can happen when people work together.” Let Them Be Kids is an all volunteer non-profit organization that acts as a catalyst to help build community capacity on the grassroots level, while building playgrounds, skate parks and fitness parks across Canada. jcollins@cbpost.com
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