Students Paxton Hand and Isabella Rings cut the ceremonial ribbon at the new pollinator garden in the Donald P. Sutherland Elementary School bus bay.
All students and staff at Donald P. Sutherland Elementary School gathered in the bus bay for a ribbon cutting ceremony of their new pollinator garden on Friday afternoon.
With students and teachers sitting on blankets, and special guests sitting in chairs off to the side, two students – 1st grader Isabella Rings and 4th grader Paxton Hand – cut the blue ribbon to officially open the garden.
It marked the final milestone in a project that transformed a simple patch of grass and weeds to a living classroom and home to plants, bees, and butterflies.
DPS Principal Jack Alvey addresses students, staff and guests during a ceremonial ribbon cutting for the new pollinator garden.
The garden was built during 2025 through the hard work of students, staff, PTO, and generous local businesses. It features trees, plants, stone pavers with mosaic designs, four blue benches, and bird and butterfly houses.
“This is now your outdoor classroom,” Special Education Teacher Janet Guido told the students. “I hope that every time you walk past this garden or sit on these benches, you remember that you didn’t just learn about the environment—you actively helped to make and save it. You are the future of this garden, and each and every one of you have already started making a difference.”
Principal Jack Alvey unveils the new DPS Pollinator Paradise sign.
After the ribbon cutting, Principal Jack Alvey unveiled a sign in the center of the garden that reads “DPS Pollinator Paradise.” The name was chosen through a school vote earlier this school year.
“Thank you for joining us today as we look to make the world a better place,” Mr. Alvey said. “Please use this space to appreciate the beauty of the world and what mother nature has to offer. We all need a place for peace and tranquility. Let’s sustain and take great care of our new garden ‘Pollinator’s Paradise.'”
Special thanks to the following contributors!
- DPS Beautification Committee
- Jack Alvey, Principal
- Dianne Chalavoutis, Art Teacher
- Shondra Conyers, Kindergarten Teacher
- Janet Guido, Special Education Teacher
- Andrea LaPlante, Head Custodian
- Peg O’Connor, Library Media Specialist
- Jamie Phillips, Parent/PTO/Substitute Teacher
- Karen Treiber, First Grade Teacher
- Ashley Germond, Christina Clarke and the DPS PTO
- The Laraway Family
- Mr. Phillips and Keller and Sons Construction
- Karl Mohr and KJM Landscaping
- Stephanie Leonard and Brad Rose Landscaping
- DPS Custodians
- DPS students, faculty and staff
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