By: Summer Kelley, Staff Reporter

Davis Elementary recently celebrated the completion of a unique feature in the Dade County School System - a courtyard.

 The courtyard is a volunteer project that began four years ago when the Davis was undergoing the construction of a major addition and some renovations to older buildings. An open, square area was created when the new addition was joined to the existing buildings at Davis.

Dottie Abercrombie, assistant principal, initiated the project and has helped to see it through to completion.

“The structure of the new wing created a sunny enclosure and eliminated an asphalt parking lot,” Abercrombie said. “The enclosure was visible from the new addition as well as the older sections of the building.”

Abercrombie began the project by writing grants, soliciting volunteers and funds. Abercrombie also began a Junior Masters Gardner program where students worked on the grounds at Davis and with indoor plants after school. Students volunteered and were then selected to participate in the program.

Volunteers included children not only from the school, but parents and community members as well. The entire school has taken pride in the garden area and even Davis alumni have helped through the purchase of engraved bricks for the courtyards walkways.

 “The initial garden design was created by Jewel Smalley and numerous individuals purchased personalized bricks for the walkways,” Abercrombie said.

Among the many grants Abercrombie applied for to help develop the courtyard area, Davis was chosen as a recipient of the 2006 Kids Growing with Dutch Bulbs award grant.

The Mail-order Gardening Association, in association with the International Flower Bulb Center of Holland, the Dutch Bulb Exporters Group, and the National Gardening Association, are the sponsor of this grant in support of dedicated and inspiring work in gardening with children.

The Davis program was chosen for this national award based on their application, which demonstrated clear educational goals and a commitment to helping children gain hands-on experience with the many joys and wonders of gardening.

Abercrombie also wrote and received several other grants to help finance the beautification of the courtyard and campus including the Phelps Dodge Mini-grant for Education and the “Remember Me” Rose School Garden Award from the National Gardening Association.

 “The ’2006 Kids Growing with Dutch Bulbs grant’ will provide the Davis school grounds with a beautiful display of spring color for years to come,” Abercrombie said.

The completed courtyard now boasts a patio, outdoor reading area, statues, birdbath, wind chimes, birdhouses, bird feeders, and a 10-foot sundial. The finished courtyard was made possible through grants, volunteer labor and contributions, and this summer the final work was completed by Boy Scout Troup 84, as an Eagle Scout Project directed by Jake Haynes, son of Davis teacher Lisa Haynes.

Eagle Scout is the highest rank that can be achieved in the Boy Scouts and to reach Eagle Scout level Boy Scouts must meet several requirements including obtaining the rank of Life Scout, earn 21 merit badges, have recommendations submitted on their behalf and overseeing a service project. Haynes chose his service project to be the courtyard at Davis Elementary.

“We are very grateful to Jake Haynes for stepping in to finish the final phase of the courtyard project,” Abercrombie said. “The project was at a standstill and we had exhausted our finances for the project when Jake and Troop 84 completed the courtyard for us.”

The completion of the courtyard was celebrated with an Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to which parents and alumni were invited as well as all volunteers who had been involved in the project.

“Countless hours and numerous individuals volunteered their time and money to make this vision a reality,” Abercrombie said.  “Students will benefit for years from the beauty of the courtyard.”