One of the Surrey district's newest and greenest schools was officially opened on Friday, May 14 with Surrey-Cloverdale MLA Kevin Falcon and City Councillor Mary Martin in attendance along with Surrey Board of Education chair Laurae McNally and Surrey School District superintendent Mike McKay. Hazelgrove students participated in the event by showcasing their choirs and having two students -- Liam Sullivan, grade 7 and Hope Sawatzky, kindergarten -- extend greetings to those in attendance at the celebration.

“Hazelgrove Elementary is a beautiful school inside and out,” said Surrey board of education chair Laurae McNally. “With the assistance of the Ministry of Education, trustees are proud to provide such a great facility for our students and school community.”

The green design of Hazelgrove Elementary focused on energy conservation, the use of renewable materials and increased green space on school grounds. Features include:

• A high-efficiency, low-energy ventilation system.
• Large windows and extensive natural lighting.
• Motion detectors to regulate air supply in the gymnasium.
• Ozone-friendly equipment, paints and materials.
• The replacement of trees removed during construction and use of native plants and drought-resistant shrubs to maintain the landscape around the school.
• A drainage system which controls the rate at which surface water enters nearby streams, thereby protecting local fish habit.

Hazelgrove elementary was named after the McNulty hazelnut tree farm that had been in the area about 60 years ago.

	Official ribbon cutting by (left to right) Surrey Board of Education chair Laurae McNally, Hazelgrove students Linden Kodak and Sydney Evans and Surrey-Cloverdale MLA Kevin Falcon		Hazelgrove students Hope Sawatzky, kindergarten, and Liam Sullivan, grade 7, extend greetings from the student body

Last Updated: May 14, 2010