This week we celebrated Earth Week in a few different ways. Thank you to all the many volunteers who help make these events happen.
Blue and Green Day – On Earth Day, we were asked to wear blue or green to help celebrate the day.
Lights Out Lunch – Also on Earth Day, we had our first Lights Out Lunch (LOL). Lights Out Lunches will continue one day per week for the rest of the school year.
Counted Walk – We celebrated Earth Week with a counted walk before school on Wednesday. Cleveland Walks is one of our key messages this year, and we had a great turnout for the walk.
Lights Out Team – Our Lights Out Team continues to meet and remind us to turn out the lights when we leave our classrooms. We have also been reminded to use power bars with our electronic devices, and to turn the power bars off when not in use. We are asked to do our part to conserve energy.
“An understanding of the natural world and what’s in it is a source of not only a great curiosity but great fulfillment.” —David Attenborough
Free the Trees – Despite the torrential downpours, our dedicated volunteers (thanks Leah and Jessica) worked with classes to teach children about healthy forests, healthy environments, and how to pull invasive plant species that are choking our trees. We also had help from some of our grade 7 students. Some classes were not able to have their turn yesterday (due to weather). We will find time for them soon.
New Trees – a few years ago, we had some young maples and dogwood trees planted around the west playground. Unfortunately, some vandals struck and the trees were ripped out of the ground and thrown on the roof. Our volunteers planted some new trees this week. Let’s hope they are allowed to grow to full maturity.
Edible Garden – Our edible garden will soon be ready to go outside. The plants are thriving in our front hallway and will soon be moved into the courtyard garden.
Km Club – Our Km club started on Tuesday, and we have already “walked” to Revelstoke, B.C., along Highway #1. Well done. Walking to school is an excellent way to reduce greenhouse emissions and to get young brains energized for the day.
Food Waste – One of our classes is currently piloting a food waste removal project for the North Vancouver School Board. Schools will all soon be required to ensure that food waste is not directed to the landfills, and we are working towards less garbage.
Salmon Release – Division F09 will release about 200 chum salmon today in a local stream. Thanks to the efforts of a dedicated teacher and several grade 7 students, our two tanks stayed healthy and the fish are ready to be free. It looks like a great day for the release.
It is wonderful to see so many initiatives to support a healthy, greener school.
Take care