Stop the Press!

We just found out that based on our recent audit, EcoSchools has granted Clairlea Gold-level eco status!!!!! We are terribly excited about this news. Thanks to everyone who has worked hard to make this happen, especially the boys and girls on the Green Team and in the Gardening Club. We couldn't have done it without you. Now go do your happy dance!

E. Hawkins

Clairlea Green 2009-10

A huge thanks goes out to Nicolas Louie in Room 204 for this slide show retrospective. Nic is one talented guy. One day, he'll be making feature films, mark my word.

E. Hawkins

EcoSchool Audit

Kids from Room 204 putting the finishing touches on their "green home" earlier this year. There are many amazing examples of ecological literacy in action around Clairlea.

Hello,

Today, a representative from TDSB's EcoSchool department came by to evaluate how much Clairlea has done this year in terms of energy conservation, waste reduction, and ecological literacy. In attendance was Ms. Persaud, our chief custodian Harold Porter, Mr. Knierim, and myself. We answered a series of questions and later Mr. Knierim and I gave a tour of Clairlea both inside and outside of the school.

We had a very positive report, especially about the high number of children involved in the Green Team, as well as the grant we have received for new trees to be planted on the west side of the school next fall.

We will find out about our EcoSchool status within the next two weeks and we'll keep you posted. Thank everyone - especially the children of Clairlea - who have worked so hard to help us in our effort to make the school a greener place. Way to go!

E. Hawkins

Gardening Club Plants in the Habitat

Thanks to all the Gardening Club kids who came out in the wet muck yesterday. We actually managed to plant our lupin, lamb's ears, and perennial grass seedlings that the kids started indoors a couple of weeks ago, along with some hand-me-down plants from my garden. The Habitat is slowly taking shape.

Great work boys and girls!

- Ms. Hawkins

Three cheers for worms! I love that the kids are such big fans of worms and not squeamish.

Planting seedlings.

Trying to level the land.

Pulling out dead roots.

More worm love.

Baby lupins.

Sedums and other tough perennials now in the Habitat.

*Don't forget, we're still happy to take donations of sun-loving perennials (native if possible), and dark mulch. Just drop it off under the stairs in front of the office. Thanks. The Garden Club meets for the last time this school year, next Wednesday after school.

Backyard Treasures

I'd like to send out a huge thanks to the boys, girls, and families who have really come through to make the Habitat at the front of the school take root. A special thanks to Rob Poulin who donated equipment and a large amount of personal time to help us break the back of the weeds.

This is a space with history, which I'm learning more about. Save for a few trees, we're starting over again with a goal to nurture the Habitat from year to year and encouraging students and families from the Clairlea neighbourhood to call it their own and keep it growing.

We're actually at the stage where we can start thinking about getting some plants and shrubs in the ground. If you're able to make a donation, we'd be most grateful. We're still in need of triple mix and dark mulch. Please drop off donations under the stairs in front of the office with a contact name and number so that we can thank you. You could also drop off donations during the Garden Club hours of 3:30-4:30 on Wednesdays.

If you have any hardy, sun-loving perennials growing in your backyard e.g. sedums...
daylilies, herbs such as chives and thyme... We be happy to take a small clump.
I dug out a few plants this evening that can be planted in the Habitat tomorrow, such as foam flower (above). This is a tough, clumping perennial that is hard to kill (take if from me).
I also found coreopsis (tickseed), stonecrop sedums, yarrow, and candytuft.
I just noticed an East York worm on the top of this pot. "Clairlea, here I come!"

We have white cedar shrubs at the front of our house which self-cultivate. If left unpruned, it can grow into a tree.

Thanks again,

Erin Hawkins