Boomerang Lunch Blasts Off

I'll be taking photos to show the lunchroom recycling bin soon. Our staff compost and recycle, but we're encouraging staff to boomerang their lunch too.

Last week, Clairlea Public School began its boomerang lunch initiative. What this means is that all garbage or left-overs from lunch must either be recycled or go back home with students. We no longer have a garbage can in the gym and primary lunch room - only a recycling bin. Ms. Vincent grabbed a big marker and wrote "Compost" on one of her classroom bins and now we have a compost bin in the Gym. Grace, a fantastic Grade 5 student from Room 204 is emptying the little bin into the big compost bin at the front of the school. We've had a few kids dumping half-eaten hotdogs and meat sandwiches into it, so we'll have to make a few announcements to educate kids about what can be composted.

Thanks to Mr. Porter, our head custodian for embracing the recycling program and thanks to the lunchroom supervisors, students, and parents for getting behind this initiative. I've heard more positive comments than negative remarks. We have to work together to make green things happen at the school.

Next year, I'll be asking all teachers to report back to me to share how they are fostering ecological literacy in the classroom.

Thanks for reading,

E. Hawkins

Pictures From the Gardening Club

Gardening Club Rocks Tomorrow

A fabulous Clairlea kid as seen last year at the weedy front of the school. Can this space be transformed? Yes indeed!

Come one, come all!

Tomorrow after school (3:40-4:30) Clairlea's Gardening Club begins. We will meet in front of the school. An announcement will be made telling children who are not being picked up by a parent/guardian to come to Ms. Hawkins' room (204) at 3:30.

Mrs. Brathwaite and I will be out there working with children and parents digging up the weeds and grass.

Thanks to those who have sent in kind words of encouragement. These are the things that keep us going.

Hope to see you there!

Erin Hawkins

P.S. Don't forget to bring a shovel or send one in with your child.

You're My Black-Eyed Susan

Here are some pictures of the seed planting session last week. We hope the seeds will germinate soon and that we can plant them at the front of the school once the tough old turf is cultivated. If you're reading this and you can donate drought-tolerant perennials or if you can lend the budding Gardening Club a shovel and some time, we are looking to start working the land soon. Please drop a note in my mailbox, send a note through your child's teacher, or leave a comment here.

Thank you!

E. Hawkins

A little dirt never hurt.

Ta-dah!

Great to see French Immersion and English students coming together at our school. Oui!

Green Team member inspects his little pot.

The haunted watering can.

On semi-related note, I garbage-picked this watering can from a dearly departed neighbour last year. He had amassed a crazy collection of watering cans and now this one is being used in the Green Team instead of sitting in a landfill. Kingsley lived a good long life. He loved to garden and enjoyed a good laugh. He'd be happy knowing his can was in a classroom and that we're able to joke about the haunted watering can. Seriously.

Pass the haunted watering can!

Here's what you'll find in the Clairlea staff room. The staff put the compost bin at the front of the school to good use.

Take Your Family To Riverdale Farm

Riverdale Farm is a great place to spend the afternoon. Located in Cabbagetown on a 7.5 acre spread, you'll find farm animals and numerous species of wild animals and birds in the bird conservation area on the lower level. It's open to the public and free. Let your kids roam around Riverdale Farm and get their hands a little dirty. You can access the Riverdale Farm by TTC or car. For more information, visit http://www.toronto.ca/parks/riverdalefarm.htm

There's plenty to discover down at the pond. My son had fun playing by the creek and we discovered numerous toads and turtles - even a dead turtle. It was fun and educational.

Tulips and daffodils are in bloom right now. Get yourselves down there and forget about the rat race.

E. Hawkins

Plant Materials Needed

Hello,

Mrs. Brathwaite and I will soon be starting a Gardening Club. Our short term goal is to beautify the front of the school. We are asking people from the Clairlea community to kindly donate perennials. The front of the school is south-facing and soaks up a lot of sun. For this reason, we are looking for drought-tolerant plants that could withstand the weather and limited watering in the summer. Native plants, including grasses would be ideal, although we'd be grateful for any contribution, including soil and mulch.

If you are able to donate, please either send a note with your child to the attention of Mrs. Brathwaite or Ms. Hawkins. You could also leave your name and a way to contact you in the comment section below.

On a related note, I am looking for avocado seeds for a Green Team project. The kids have been busy with the recycling bins, but now that the weather is better, I'd love for them to be growing plants from seed and taking on other projects in the school.

Please send in your avocado seeds with your child to the attention of Ms. Hawkins. Thanks a bunch.

School Yard Clean Up

Last Thursday, Clairlea students took to the yard to clean, clean, clean. The field looks 100% better now. Let's keep it that way.

Great work, kids!