Scroll down to read about our entire project or jump ahead to the time or event you are interested in viewing. Click on the links below to see the articles, photos or write-ups.
- Article in Kelowna Now West Kelowna Grade 2 Class Wins $1000
- December 2014 - March 2015
- West Kelowna Grade 2 Students Land Another Grant Worth $8000
- March 2015 Planning, Measuring and Designing Where to Put the Vegetables
- Earth Day 2015 Including West Kelowna News -Earth Day Gardeners and Global News - Okanagan residents celebrate Earth Day
- Early May 2015 Photos of the Pollinator Garden, Vegetable Garden and Interpretive Trail
- Video Importance of water
- End of June 2015 Photos of the Vegetable Garden, Pollinator Garden, and Interpretive Trail
- July 2015 Partners in Bloom Difference Makers
- September 2015
- The Xeriscape Bank
- October 2015 One of the top four finalists for the Youth Garden Award at the National Communities in Bloom award ceremony
- Gardening reflections
- November 2015 Trees for our field
- Okanagan Life Magazine - Seeds of Change
- Video - Be Water Wise
- Earth Day 2016 Including Kelowna Now Story
- April 2016 School Board Presentation
- May 2016
- June 2016 RBC-Evergreen Watershed Champions Award
- June Garden Photos
- Stories for the First People's Art Walk
- Summer 2016
- September 2016
- Visit from the Royal Bank
- Celebrating Canada's Top City Builders -Mrs. Foster was one of the finalist for The Toyota Playground Placemaker Award, one of the three Canadian Top City Builders Awards.
- Learning Gardens
- Spring 2017 Including help from the RBC Team
- Fish Stencilling
- Mayor, City Councillors and Okanagan Water Basin Board Representative Visit
- Shaw Communications created a documentary of our garden project, which aired September 2017.
In the beginning:
Early in September 2014 there was a class of 24 students who thought they had no voice so could not make a difference in their school, community or world.
Then....
Our teacher, Mrs. Foster decided to show us that no one is too small, too young or to old to make a difference.
So....
Together they began to dream and come up with a plan. We will become Junior Guardians of the Earth and see if other classes in the school would like to join us on our quest. Fortunately there were others interested, especially a Grade 3/4 class and a Grade 4 class. The older students in the school could take on the role of the Guardians of the Earth.
The dream.....
~Buy motion sensor taps for the bathrooms
~Plant trees for shade on the field
~Plant a garden to give us food
~Create a garden to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies
~Make some outdoor classrooms
~Create a nature trail
~Add a meadow to lie in and write
~Make a bug hotel
~Find a way to compost
~Make some bird feeders
~Find a way to catch and use water
~Build some Inukshuks and totem poles
~Find a way to stop erosion
Snapshot of Our Timeline
September - November 2014
1. We decided to raise kokanee salmon eggs to young fry.
2. We sent our plan to BC Hydro's Community Champions.
3. We started to conserve water by turning off taps, taking shorter showers, and not wasting water at home or at school.
Then....
Our teacher, Mrs. Foster decided to show us that no one is too small, too young or to old to make a difference.
So....
Together they began to dream and come up with a plan. We will become Junior Guardians of the Earth and see if other classes in the school would like to join us on our quest. Fortunately there were others interested, especially a Grade 3/4 class and a Grade 4 class. The older students in the school could take on the role of the Guardians of the Earth.
The dream.....
~Buy motion sensor taps for the bathrooms
~Plant trees for shade on the field
~Plant a garden to give us food
~Create a garden to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies
~Make some outdoor classrooms
~Create a nature trail
~Add a meadow to lie in and write
~Make a bug hotel
~Find a way to compost
~Make some bird feeders
~Find a way to catch and use water
~Build some Inukshuks and totem poles
~Find a way to stop erosion
Snapshot of Our Timeline
September - November 2014
1. We decided to raise kokanee salmon eggs to young fry.
2. We sent our plan to BC Hydro's Community Champions.
3. We started to conserve water by turning off taps, taking shorter showers, and not wasting water at home or at school.
~Everything we do makes a difference to all living things. Our actions count! We saw this happen this year as we decided to become Junior Guardians of the Earth. In December we found out we were selected by BC Hydro as one of twenty-five classes to receive a $1,000 award. Our journey had begun! With this money we hoped to make a difference in our local community.
Article in Kelowna Now West Kelowna Grade 2 Class Wins $1000
Article in Kelowna Now West Kelowna Grade 2 Class Wins $1000
December 2014-March 2015
1. As part of the Community Champions program we are supporting Hives for Humanity and the Western Bumblebee.
Western bumble bees are important pollinators of plants that create the seeds and fruits that feed wildlife, as well as pollinating many crops that we eat like blueberries and tomatoes. The Western bumble bee used to be one of the most common bees in B.C., but the populations have been declining and researchers are trying to understand why.
2. Motion sensor taps were ordered at the end of December. These taps were installed in 4 bathrooms in June 2015. Since being installed they have helped to decrease the amount of water being wasted.
3. Interested community members encouraged our teacher, Mrs. Foster to submit a proposal to the Okanagan Water Basin Board in hopes of securing more funding. This meant she had to go outside her comfort zone and speak in front of the city council before submitting all the paperwork.
1. As part of the Community Champions program we are supporting Hives for Humanity and the Western Bumblebee.
Western bumble bees are important pollinators of plants that create the seeds and fruits that feed wildlife, as well as pollinating many crops that we eat like blueberries and tomatoes. The Western bumble bee used to be one of the most common bees in B.C., but the populations have been declining and researchers are trying to understand why.
2. Motion sensor taps were ordered at the end of December. These taps were installed in 4 bathrooms in June 2015. Since being installed they have helped to decrease the amount of water being wasted.
3. Interested community members encouraged our teacher, Mrs. Foster to submit a proposal to the Okanagan Water Basin Board in hopes of securing more funding. This meant she had to go outside her comfort zone and speak in front of the city council before submitting all the paperwork.
In March we found out we had been granted some additional funding in the form of an Okanagan Water Basin grant. With the help of the Community Champions award and the Okanagan Water Basin grant, we are making a difference! We are becoming a school actively involved in changing our environment to support the Earth.
Article in Kelowna Now West Kelowna Grade 2 Students Land Another Grant Worth $8000
Article in Kelowna Now West Kelowna Grade 2 Students Land Another Grant Worth $8000
Our conservation project had several sections. First, we wanted to purchase energy saving taps for the older part of the school to conserve water. The installation of these taps will take place early in June 2014. Secondly, we wanted to plant a few trees in our schoolyard to create shade and outdoor learning areas. Currently we are working out the logistics so the students can work with the school district to plant six trees. Finally, we wanted to plant gardens that will attract bees and butterflies and help with erosion. One will be located on a steep bank outside several classrooms and will feature native shrubs, trees and flowering plants. The other is a food garden that will help us learn about food groups and where the food we eat comes from. Inspired, the Grade 4 students also wanted to create an interpretive trail to tell others about our local plants. This opened up yet a third site - the front. Here we hope to not only plant native plants that will attract bees, butterflies and birds, but to also add artwork like totem poles, Inukshuks and a sun dial.
4. Mrs. Smith, the Grade 4 teacher successfully applied for and received a GoGrant, which focused on getting classrooms outdoors. These funds helped us purchase some of the supplies necessary to build the garden boxes and haul in good soil.
4. Mrs. Smith, the Grade 4 teacher successfully applied for and received a GoGrant, which focused on getting classrooms outdoors. These funds helped us purchase some of the supplies necessary to build the garden boxes and haul in good soil.
Potential Site for food garden, pollinator garden, interpretive trail
March 2015 - Planning, measuring, designing where to put the vegetables.
April 2015
1. Earth Day activities kick started the garden projects.
2. Some supplies were purchased with the help of a community sponsor after some intense math classes. Other supplies were kindly donated.
1. Earth Day activities kick started the garden projects.
2. Some supplies were purchased with the help of a community sponsor after some intense math classes. Other supplies were kindly donated.
Earth Day |
~A big bouquet of thanks goes out to the following for helping us with our garden projects:
~SLE parents ~SLE PAC ~Volunteers from Club Penguin ~Home Team from West Kelowna's Home Depot ~ Shannon Lake Neigbourhood Pub ~Bylands ~Rona ~Classic Compost ~John Grods and Trent Kitsch with the Tallus Ridge Development ~Stacey Harding with the City of West Kelowna ~Element Eco Design ~Dogwood Nursery ~Jennay from Paynter's Farm and Market ~Kristin Peturson-Laprise with the Growing Chefs program |
This project has transformed not only the physical landscape but the entire school culture as well. Where there was a culture of awareness, it now has become a culture of action. Shannon Lake Elementary is a school actively involved in changing our environment to support the Earth. Our school community also continues to blossom as we partnered with various businesses. On Earth Day (April 22, 2015) our entire school – staff and students, along with parents and various community members joined together to begin work on a food garden, a pollinator garden and an interpretive trail featuring many native and water wise plants. In the morning two classes (Mrs. Smith's Grade 4s and Ms Buchanan's Grade 3/4s) joined our class to travel to Tallus Ridge to salvage native species. In the afternoon everyone in the school pitched in to dig holes, add new soil, plant, water, mulch, and build garden beds. At the end of the day over 520 participants helped kick start our project!
"Please thank your classrooms for me for helping me in my efforts. It was so personally rewarding to see what I do taken up by our community's youth with such passion, keen interest and great effort. I would like to thank the three of you (Jane Smith, Kim Buchanan, Sharon Foster) for all your work and effort. It was truly amazing not only in the morning but later with the whole school and community involved. Wow! Hats off to you all and the school." John Grods from the Tallus Ridge Developers
This amazing project has not only incorporated all students, staff, many parents, local volunteers and businesses, but covers outcomes from many subject areas such as Social Studies, Science, Health and Career education, Mathematics, Physical Education and Art! We are definitely a community in bloom!
This amazing project has not only incorporated all students, staff, many parents, local volunteers and businesses, but covers outcomes from many subject areas such as Social Studies, Science, Health and Career education, Mathematics, Physical Education and Art! We are definitely a community in bloom!
Check out these other links to see more of our Earth Day activities - Earth Day Gardeners and Okanagan Residents Celebrate Earth Day
Some earth day photos from early morning to the end of the day.
May 2015
1. The kokanee fry were released back to their home stream at Mission Creek Park.
2. Larva arrived to be cared for and raised to Painted Lady Butterflies by all the Grade 2s.
3. Work continues to be done in all areas - food garden, pollinator garden, interpretive trail, and outdoor classroom areas.
1. The kokanee fry were released back to their home stream at Mission Creek Park.
2. Larva arrived to be cared for and raised to Painted Lady Butterflies by all the Grade 2s.
3. Work continues to be done in all areas - food garden, pollinator garden, interpretive trail, and outdoor classroom areas.
Early May Photos of the Pollinator Garden, Vegetable Garden and Interpretive Trail
Since Earth Day many plants have started to grow beautifying the area, bees and butterflies have visited the gardens, outdoor learning spaces have been created and erosion has been reduced in two areas. The steep slope area now has growing plants, which have beautified the slope, encouraged pollinators, and reduced erosion. By the end of May, in the food garden, students from various grades have planted a row of raspberries, a patch of strawberries, four rhubarb plants, a bed of squash and a variety of vegetable seeds, tomatoes and cucumbers in six traditional garden beds. There is even a lasagna garden featuring potatoes and zucchini and a herb garden. Previously pollinators did not exist in this area, however, they have now started to return. Inspired, the older students have also started an interpretive trail. It now has a grand entrance, lined by painted rocks created by each student in our school.
A morning in the food garden -weeding, building a squash bed, planting squash, building up the potato bed, watering, cleaning up the pinecones and pine needles.
Be sure to check out our video - The Importance of Water in the link attached to Junior Guardians of the Earth.
End of June Photos of the Vegetable Garden, Pollinator Garden, and Interpretive Trail
As the 2014-2015 school year comes to an end, the students proudly wore their t-shirts from Bylands "greening the world one plant at a time". Each has realized that we can make a difference in our world if we work together, persevere and follow our dreams! Many hope to continue working on the garden project during the next school year ...........
While the students were away on summer vacation, the garden kept on growing. Here are some photos to show you what grew because of all the hard work. We were very pleased when a local restaurant featured some of our produce in their summer menu. The elderly at Village of Smith Creek also enjoyed a gourmet salad featuring several items from our garden.
It was an honour to be included in the Partners in Bloom Difference Makers this summer. The article to your right is featured on their website (partnersinbloom.ca) and appeared in the Westside Weekly newspaper in July.
A huge bouquet of thanks goes out to our community partners, and the staff, students, parents and PAC at Shannon Lake. Without all of them volunteering their time and/or supporting us financially and physically our dreams would not have started to take shape. A special bouquet of thanks goes out to the Partners in Bloom committee for seeing us as Difference Makers. I can't wait to see what the fall and the new school year will bring!
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September 2015
As soon as school started, new gardeners were introduced to the garden. They had an opportunity to see and harvest what had grown. They decided to set up a fruit stand to sell some of the produce. Signs were created to advertise and prices were determined as a guideline. Donations were gratefully accepted.
The Garden in October
The Xeriscape Bank |
After reading the story, Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney, the students created a list of their own hopes and dreams, including one for making the world a better place. They decided to start with our school, in particular the front bank. Their hope is to not only beautify the grounds and create new habitats for bees, birds and butterflies, but to teach others about the importance of water in our community. To do this they decided to create a xeriscape garden that features native and drought tolerant plants. The goal is to create a beautiful landscape that uses less water and no pesticides to help our local watersheds stay full and healthy. Water is so important, but not as abundant as we may think. We need to rethink how we use water and value it more!
Many students and parents joined us to begin to make this dream a reality. Below you will see what can be accomplished when everyone works together, gives effort and dreams. |
It's now the end of October 2015 and time to put the garden to sleep for the long winter months. We decided to plant some garlic before the frost arrived to see if it would grow. This meant working in teams, measuring out rows and holes and planting the bulbs.
On Tuesday, October 27th, 2015 Annette Beaudreau from the City of West Kelowna and two Communities in Bloom committee members paid a visit to our class. They had some exciting news to share with us so the 2014 and the 2015 Grade twos came together to hear the news. West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation won the national award for our population category. Annette brought the award, which is made from rock from the Canadian Shield, to show us. They also let us know that Shannon Lake was in fact one of the top four finalists for the Youth Garden Award at the National Communities in Bloom award ceremony. As such they forwarded a little gift to let the students know what a great job they are doing from a CiB perspective. A winner was announced but all we know is that Shannon Lake was one of the top four in Canada! What incredible news!
Some gardening reflections by this year's grade twos
Gardening
Guess what is in the garden. We planted potatoes and garlic. When we planted garlic I was cleaning the beds! It was fun because I found potatoes and it was scary too because there were spiders. By Johanna
"Just a second mom," said Tiernen, "and dad I need to tell what I do and see." When I go in the garden I see trees and nature, plants and pinecones. Some plants that I see are carrots mmmm zucchini. This year I 'm planting garlic. First I cleaned the garden box. We are making money by giving food to people and it is by donation. It is fun. By Tiernen
In our garden we have zucchini, potatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and we're still growing pumpkins. Yummy! We're growing them to cook. We're also using them to sell for money. We got a gardening award too! It was from the Communities in Bloom. The award was that we were in the top 4. It was exciting! By Diego
I went to the school garden and it was very fun. I got to plant some garlic. I also found some potatoes one time. Me and my group went to the front bank and we saw our big buddies. They helped us to plant. I like my big buddy helping me. My big buddy helped me plant a flower so people will stop by. I have fun planting with someone like my big buddy. Sometimes I get to work with a friend. Me and my class have a fun time working to make the garden beautiful. By Crystal
Guess what I did this year............gardening! One time when we went to the garden we planted chives, squash, zucchini, carrots and garlic. Isn't that alot! How do we plant them? Keep on reading to find out! Dig a hole, put soil and bonemeal and water in, put the plant in the hole. Then wait for it to grow. Plants need water, sun, soil. For your information we are in the top 4. We won a blanket for when we take a break in the garden and for when we have story time. We also won a gardening kit with a lot of tools in it. By Jordan
My class and I went to the front bank......to plant! Unlike others, we help protect other plants and unique animals whenever we can we make sure they are unharmed. We can work together to save the whole wide world. We get buckets, shovels, gloves, seeds too. We collect pinecones in the garden for animals as well. We all care about our environment right everyone? You can help us too. You can do it! We know you can. Today I finished the hardest thing I ever did in my life! I got lots of rocks and when I felt like I collected enough rocks I put them around the plants. By Marsali
We have a garden and a front bank. We grew cucumbers, carrots, potatoes and zucchini. Why? Because we sell them to people. Our class won a Youth gardening award for our very nice garden and for how nice our garden is to our school. After everything grew we picked half the garden's vegetables and made soup and zucchini cake. It tasted delicious to me. Yum, yum, yum. We love vegetables. By Alessia
In the garden we picked zucchini, potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, garlic, strawberries, squash and carrots. We can sell the food so we can make money to make the garden bigger. In the front bank the school is digging holes and putting in water. Then we plant the plants so we can make the school a better place. Plants need sun, water and soil to survive. Water is an important thing for plants, animals and humans. Our class got a gardening award because we came in the top 4 groups in Canada. The youth gardening award came from the National Communities in Bloom. By Tristan
It's garden time! Some food we grew were squash, potato and garlic. Why we did it was because we wanted to sell it for money and to eat it. It was so good. My class planted in the front bank. We planted flowers. We put some soil in and put the plants in the holes that we dug and then we gave the plants some water. Some people said it looked nice. The plants need sun, water and soil. We all need water. My class won a youth garden award as we were one of the top four winners in Canada.
By Brooke
Guess what is in the garden. We planted potatoes and garlic. When we planted garlic I was cleaning the beds! It was fun because I found potatoes and it was scary too because there were spiders. By Johanna
"Just a second mom," said Tiernen, "and dad I need to tell what I do and see." When I go in the garden I see trees and nature, plants and pinecones. Some plants that I see are carrots mmmm zucchini. This year I 'm planting garlic. First I cleaned the garden box. We are making money by giving food to people and it is by donation. It is fun. By Tiernen
In our garden we have zucchini, potatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and we're still growing pumpkins. Yummy! We're growing them to cook. We're also using them to sell for money. We got a gardening award too! It was from the Communities in Bloom. The award was that we were in the top 4. It was exciting! By Diego
I went to the school garden and it was very fun. I got to plant some garlic. I also found some potatoes one time. Me and my group went to the front bank and we saw our big buddies. They helped us to plant. I like my big buddy helping me. My big buddy helped me plant a flower so people will stop by. I have fun planting with someone like my big buddy. Sometimes I get to work with a friend. Me and my class have a fun time working to make the garden beautiful. By Crystal
Guess what I did this year............gardening! One time when we went to the garden we planted chives, squash, zucchini, carrots and garlic. Isn't that alot! How do we plant them? Keep on reading to find out! Dig a hole, put soil and bonemeal and water in, put the plant in the hole. Then wait for it to grow. Plants need water, sun, soil. For your information we are in the top 4. We won a blanket for when we take a break in the garden and for when we have story time. We also won a gardening kit with a lot of tools in it. By Jordan
My class and I went to the front bank......to plant! Unlike others, we help protect other plants and unique animals whenever we can we make sure they are unharmed. We can work together to save the whole wide world. We get buckets, shovels, gloves, seeds too. We collect pinecones in the garden for animals as well. We all care about our environment right everyone? You can help us too. You can do it! We know you can. Today I finished the hardest thing I ever did in my life! I got lots of rocks and when I felt like I collected enough rocks I put them around the plants. By Marsali
We have a garden and a front bank. We grew cucumbers, carrots, potatoes and zucchini. Why? Because we sell them to people. Our class won a Youth gardening award for our very nice garden and for how nice our garden is to our school. After everything grew we picked half the garden's vegetables and made soup and zucchini cake. It tasted delicious to me. Yum, yum, yum. We love vegetables. By Alessia
In the garden we picked zucchini, potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, garlic, strawberries, squash and carrots. We can sell the food so we can make money to make the garden bigger. In the front bank the school is digging holes and putting in water. Then we plant the plants so we can make the school a better place. Plants need sun, water and soil to survive. Water is an important thing for plants, animals and humans. Our class got a gardening award because we came in the top 4 groups in Canada. The youth gardening award came from the National Communities in Bloom. By Tristan
It's garden time! Some food we grew were squash, potato and garlic. Why we did it was because we wanted to sell it for money and to eat it. It was so good. My class planted in the front bank. We planted flowers. We put some soil in and put the plants in the holes that we dug and then we gave the plants some water. Some people said it looked nice. The plants need sun, water and soil. We all need water. My class won a youth garden award as we were one of the top four winners in Canada.
By Brooke
Trees for our field |
At the beginning of November the trees for the field finally arrived! The students were very excited! Each class and teacher have been assigned a tree to nurture. My hope is as the ash and maple trees grow, they will provide another learning space for our students where they can connect to nature.
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Unfortunately, since they have been planted on our field, branches have been broken off and some of the trees have been shaken until they were almost uprooted. Please respect our trees! They need time to grow and establish their root systems. Once they do, they will provide us with oxygen and shade. The grade twos kindly ask that you join us in protecting the trees as it will take our whole village to help them grow.
In December our story was featured in the Okanagan Life magazine. If you are interested, a digital copy can be purchased at http://okanaganlife.com if it is no longer available at Mosaic Books.
During term 2 two students from our class, Brooke and Jordan, took part in a newspaper writing project. They chose to write about the garden project. Below is the SLE newspaper. Be sure to check out their article!
sle_newspaper_article.pdf | |
File Size: | 659 kb |
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After learning about water, the students were very excited to share their new understanding with others. Check out what they have discovered so you can be water wise too!
Spring 2016
Our Grade 4 big buddy class came out to work with us to pull weeds at the top of the xeriscape garden bank. Some of us had to work really hard to pull the great big weeds out.
It's time to get the garden beds ready for planting. While mixing in the soil, we found some carrots that we had left in the garden last fall. We also found the garlic we planted had come up and the lettuce had reseeded itself.
Earth Day 2016
On Friday, April 22nd, 2016, Earth Day, the students at Shannon Lake gave back to the Earth. For the past year they have worked hard, as Junior Guardians of the Earth, to create five special outdoor areas, where learning can take place outside. Today, they spring-cleaned and expanded some of these areas. Some of the students worked in the xeriscape garden, weeding, adding more plants and topping the area with bark mulch. The goal here is to create a beautiful landscape using plants that grow in hot, dry areas so they use less water. At the same time, others worked on cleaning up the interpretive trail, which will allow students and visitors to learn about more about the First People’s culture, and the various native and drought tolerant plants. Meanwhile, lots of weeding, planting and bark mulching took place in the pollinator garden. This area features native plants and grasses and those that attract a variety of bees and butterflies. The food garden was the final area, where work took place today. Here the students were busy weeding, creating a lasagna garden, planting vegetables and helping to create a safe pathway through the area.
KelownaNow came out to see what we were doing for Earth Day. You can check out the story by clicking on KelownaNow.
School Board Presentation
At the end of April, Alessia, Hannah, and Seattle accompanied me to the school board office. We had been invited to share our gardening project at the school board meeting. After I began our presentation, the girls presented their thoughts. Here is what they had to say.
I love this project! I learned that planting flowers can help bees, butterflies and birds. We created a pollinator garden because we wanted to save the Western Bumblebees and give the butterflies we raise a home. There are lupines, lavender, and bee balm. Sometimes it is hard to know what are weeds and what are plants. I love working in our gardens!
By Seattle
We have a food garden too! Last year the grade 2s started the food garden. When I came in September we pulled out the food and sold it at a fruit stand. The money we got went back into the garden fund so we can do it again. We already planted garlic, carrots, lettuce, potatoes, onions and cauliflower. What surprised me was the lettuce seeded itself over the winter and the carrots had kept growing. So we have already eaten some carrots and lettuce. This year I hope to have a fruit and vegetable stand again. I love our gardens!
By Hannah
I love gardening and I’m in the gardening club. In September my class made a xeriscape garden on the bank to make it useful. Not only does it beautify the grounds and create new habitats for bees, birds and butterflies, but it also teaches others about how important it is to reduce the amount of water we use in our community. To do this we planted native and drought tolerant plants. I learned that we need to rethink how we use water and value it more!
By Alessia
I love this project! I learned that planting flowers can help bees, butterflies and birds. We created a pollinator garden because we wanted to save the Western Bumblebees and give the butterflies we raise a home. There are lupines, lavender, and bee balm. Sometimes it is hard to know what are weeds and what are plants. I love working in our gardens!
By Seattle
We have a food garden too! Last year the grade 2s started the food garden. When I came in September we pulled out the food and sold it at a fruit stand. The money we got went back into the garden fund so we can do it again. We already planted garlic, carrots, lettuce, potatoes, onions and cauliflower. What surprised me was the lettuce seeded itself over the winter and the carrots had kept growing. So we have already eaten some carrots and lettuce. This year I hope to have a fruit and vegetable stand again. I love our gardens!
By Hannah
I love gardening and I’m in the gardening club. In September my class made a xeriscape garden on the bank to make it useful. Not only does it beautify the grounds and create new habitats for bees, birds and butterflies, but it also teaches others about how important it is to reduce the amount of water we use in our community. To do this we planted native and drought tolerant plants. I learned that we need to rethink how we use water and value it more!
By Alessia
May 2016
Mid May when we went out to the garden we created a map of what was growing in the garden and then used the information to solve some math problems.
On May 20th we traveled to Mission Creek Park to release the Kokanee fry that we had cared for since September. Our hope is that many of them will find their way back to this spot four years from now. Before the students said their good-byes they named the fry they released.
After our picnic lunch we went to work on some problems. The students were divided into five groups and each group tackled one problem. The problems included:
- a farm and the farm animals were right by or in the stream
- a flood had occurred at a construction site causing lots of debris to enter the stream
-a train had derailed polluting the stream
- the stream was not flowing straight in one area crating problems for the salmon that were trying to return to their spawning grounds. (Some of the students installed fish ladders to help with part of the problem.)
-a city had become flooded
Then it was time to play 2 survival games and take in a short nature hike before our bus arrived.
After our picnic lunch we went to work on some problems. The students were divided into five groups and each group tackled one problem. The problems included:
- a farm and the farm animals were right by or in the stream
- a flood had occurred at a construction site causing lots of debris to enter the stream
-a train had derailed polluting the stream
- the stream was not flowing straight in one area crating problems for the salmon that were trying to return to their spawning grounds. (Some of the students installed fish ladders to help with part of the problem.)
-a city had become flooded
Then it was time to play 2 survival games and take in a short nature hike before our bus arrived.
June arrived and everyone was busy working to create the pathway, weed and prepare the bank for the First People's artwork.
At the beginning of June, Mrs. Foster received a letter stating that our school had been recognized for its role in helping to maintain the vitality of our watershed by understanding the dynamics of our local water ecosystem and caring for it. Our school was one of nine prize winners from across Canada! The prize money of $2500 will be used towards environmental initiatives at our school. The letter said, "The judges were particularly impressed by the scope and scale of your engagement in the Okanagan Water Basin. The xeriscape garden was an innovative and unique element!"
To read about all the winners, please visit 2016 Award Winners. To read what was written about our school, you may also open the pdf below.
To read about all the winners, please visit 2016 Award Winners. To read what was written about our school, you may also open the pdf below.
watershed_profile_shannon_lake.pdf | |
File Size: | 235 kb |
File Type: |
It's almost the end of the school year, but our garden is just beginning to take off. Check out what is growing!
The Strawberry Moon signified the start of the berry season. The students had a wonderful time picking and tasting some delicious strawberries and raspberries.
At the end of June the outdoor classroom had started to take shape and the rocks for the First People's art walk had been placed along the walkway and in the xeriscape bank. The students painted these rocks on Earth Day to help tell the stories and legends of the First People.
Stories for the First People's Art Walk
OKANAGAN FIRST NATIONS LEGEND OF TURTLE – OKANANGAN
A legend about a Turtle's ability to trust in his dreams to beat Eagle in a race to free all of the animal people.
4 FOOD CHIEFS – OKANAGAN – How Food Was Given
There are four sacred food chiefs of the Okanagan people. Each chief has its own story to tell.
OKANAGAN PICTOGRAPHS – OKANAGAN
(Spirit Stones created in place of using pictographs)
Rock art is generally divided in two categories: carving sites (petroglyphs) and paintings sites (pictographs). Pictographs are paintings that were made by applying red ochre or, less commonly, black, white or yellow dye. The Ochre was a special mix made by the Okanagan people using a mix plant matter, animals fats and minerals. The Ochre can last for 100's of decades. The pictographs were created to help find directions and food and other important information was also shared through this art.
OKANAGAN LEGEND OF N'AH-A-ITK – OKANAGAN – Sacred Spirit of The Lake
(Now commonly known as Ogopogo)
Okanagan Legends believed that the N'ha-a-itk was a sacred lake spirit that was angered. It was there to make sure the lake remained healthy and was not disrespected, or harm would come to those who tried to cross Lake Okanagan.
Other legends of Canadian First Nations believed in a beast called N'ha-a-itk that would demand a live sacrifice from travelers for safe passage across Lake Okanagan. Hundreds of years ago, whenever the Okanagan peoples would venture into the lake, they brought chickens or other small animals to kill and drop into the water to assure a safe journey.
7 SACRED GRANFATHER TEACHINGS - ANISHNABE
According to an oral traditional story, the seven teachings were given to the Anishinaabe early in their history. When the Seven Grandfathers sent their messenger to learn about the current state if the Anishinaabe people, they were told that the people were not living in harmony with each other, nor with the rest of creation. In a vison quest, the messenger found a child worthy of the teachings and the Seven Grandfathers tutored the child in "the good way of life". Each Grandfather instructed the child with one teaching, which collectively became the Seven Teachings. An animal spirit represents each teaching. When someone follows the Seven Teachings, they will lead a well-balanced lifestyle and live in harmony with all creation.
LEGEND OF TURTLE ISLAND – PLAINS PEOPLE – Creation of North America
Some contemporary Native Americans refer to North America by the name "Turtle Island." Turtles are a symbol of the earth in many different Native cultures. To Plains Peoples, turtles are associated with long life, protection, and fertility.
METIS BEAD WORK – METIS / Flower Beadwork People
In the late 18th century, Métis women from the Great Lakes and Red River area of Manitoba sewed moccasins, tobacco pouches, saddles, gloves and clothes decorated with bright colourful beads and silks that caught the eye of travelers. These imaginative women would develop a distinctive floral design that would become the most widely used style among the Métis throughout the 19th century. Natives referred to them as the "Flower Beadwork People" because of this style. In developing this trademark style, the Métis women have given Canadians a piece of unique cultural heritage.
MEDICINE WHEEL – CREE / Plains people - Mental, Emotional, Spiritual Emotional
The Medicine Wheel, sometimes known as the Sacred Hoop, has been used by generations of various Native American tribes for health and healing. It embodies the Four Directions, as well as Father Sky, Mother Earth, and Spirit Tree—all of which symbolize dimensions of health and the cycles of life.
INUKSUK – INUIT / People of the North
An Inuksuk is a stone marker that acts in the place of a person. They can serve many purposes and have been vital to the survival of Inuit out on the land. The inuksuit (plural) that are commonly used and created in the shape of a person are called Inunnguaq. Inuksuk have always been constructed out on the land from whatever stones were available in the immediate vicinity. Since each Inuksuk was built by hand with the stones on hand every one is different from the next. Each one built represents the land around it and since it is built from the land it represents it also has a strong tie to the land for many Inuit. Once built they are considered sacred and if destroyed or disassembled, it is said to be a bad luck and some say shorten the life of the one who destroys it.
Stories for the First People's Art Walk
OKANAGAN FIRST NATIONS LEGEND OF TURTLE – OKANANGAN
A legend about a Turtle's ability to trust in his dreams to beat Eagle in a race to free all of the animal people.
4 FOOD CHIEFS – OKANAGAN – How Food Was Given
There are four sacred food chiefs of the Okanagan people. Each chief has its own story to tell.
- BITTERROOT – Chief of everything that lies under the earth
- SASKATOON BERRY – chief of all things that grow above the earth
- SALMON – chief of all things in the water
- BEAR – chief of all things that walk the earth
OKANAGAN PICTOGRAPHS – OKANAGAN
(Spirit Stones created in place of using pictographs)
Rock art is generally divided in two categories: carving sites (petroglyphs) and paintings sites (pictographs). Pictographs are paintings that were made by applying red ochre or, less commonly, black, white or yellow dye. The Ochre was a special mix made by the Okanagan people using a mix plant matter, animals fats and minerals. The Ochre can last for 100's of decades. The pictographs were created to help find directions and food and other important information was also shared through this art.
OKANAGAN LEGEND OF N'AH-A-ITK – OKANAGAN – Sacred Spirit of The Lake
(Now commonly known as Ogopogo)
Okanagan Legends believed that the N'ha-a-itk was a sacred lake spirit that was angered. It was there to make sure the lake remained healthy and was not disrespected, or harm would come to those who tried to cross Lake Okanagan.
Other legends of Canadian First Nations believed in a beast called N'ha-a-itk that would demand a live sacrifice from travelers for safe passage across Lake Okanagan. Hundreds of years ago, whenever the Okanagan peoples would venture into the lake, they brought chickens or other small animals to kill and drop into the water to assure a safe journey.
7 SACRED GRANFATHER TEACHINGS - ANISHNABE
According to an oral traditional story, the seven teachings were given to the Anishinaabe early in their history. When the Seven Grandfathers sent their messenger to learn about the current state if the Anishinaabe people, they were told that the people were not living in harmony with each other, nor with the rest of creation. In a vison quest, the messenger found a child worthy of the teachings and the Seven Grandfathers tutored the child in "the good way of life". Each Grandfather instructed the child with one teaching, which collectively became the Seven Teachings. An animal spirit represents each teaching. When someone follows the Seven Teachings, they will lead a well-balanced lifestyle and live in harmony with all creation.
LEGEND OF TURTLE ISLAND – PLAINS PEOPLE – Creation of North America
Some contemporary Native Americans refer to North America by the name "Turtle Island." Turtles are a symbol of the earth in many different Native cultures. To Plains Peoples, turtles are associated with long life, protection, and fertility.
METIS BEAD WORK – METIS / Flower Beadwork People
In the late 18th century, Métis women from the Great Lakes and Red River area of Manitoba sewed moccasins, tobacco pouches, saddles, gloves and clothes decorated with bright colourful beads and silks that caught the eye of travelers. These imaginative women would develop a distinctive floral design that would become the most widely used style among the Métis throughout the 19th century. Natives referred to them as the "Flower Beadwork People" because of this style. In developing this trademark style, the Métis women have given Canadians a piece of unique cultural heritage.
MEDICINE WHEEL – CREE / Plains people - Mental, Emotional, Spiritual Emotional
The Medicine Wheel, sometimes known as the Sacred Hoop, has been used by generations of various Native American tribes for health and healing. It embodies the Four Directions, as well as Father Sky, Mother Earth, and Spirit Tree—all of which symbolize dimensions of health and the cycles of life.
INUKSUK – INUIT / People of the North
An Inuksuk is a stone marker that acts in the place of a person. They can serve many purposes and have been vital to the survival of Inuit out on the land. The inuksuit (plural) that are commonly used and created in the shape of a person are called Inunnguaq. Inuksuk have always been constructed out on the land from whatever stones were available in the immediate vicinity. Since each Inuksuk was built by hand with the stones on hand every one is different from the next. Each one built represents the land around it and since it is built from the land it represents it also has a strong tie to the land for many Inuit. Once built they are considered sacred and if destroyed or disassembled, it is said to be a bad luck and some say shorten the life of the one who destroys it.
Despite some vandalism in the food garden mid-July, the beds continues to produce a wide assortment of vegetables. Several families have kindly volunteered to sell the produce by creating a neighbourhood fruit stand. All proceeds will be put into the garden fund to buy supplies for next year. The cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce, kale, and peas have come to an end. Hopefully more carrots, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, pole beans, potatoes and corn will be ready soon.
Meanwhile in the xeriscape garden, the flowers, native grasses and shrubs continue to grow. Even our tiny Saskatoon berry bushes produced berries!
Meanwhile in the xeriscape garden, the flowers, native grasses and shrubs continue to grow. Even our tiny Saskatoon berry bushes produced berries!
School has begun and our project is heading into year three! The new "crop" of Grade 2 students are already hard at work. Their first task was to head to the food garden and pick what was ripe. We could not have done it without the help of a few parents.
Once we had sorted and cleaned the produce, we checked the flyers to see what the grocery stores were charging for similar vegetables. Then we weighed, bagged and priced our garden produce to get it ready for our veggie stand. The prices are guidelines and donations are always welcome. Most of the veggies had sold in 15 minutes, but we were still able to get a few pictures.
Visit from the Royal Bank
Early in September Adam Williams, Branch Manager, from RBC Royal Bank came to our classroom to congratulate the 2015-2016 students for their part in receiving the RBC-Evergreen Watershed Champions Award and to ask what plans the 2016-2017 students had to continue the project. He also told us more about the RBC Blue Water Project.
Celebrating Canada's Top City Builders
"2016 marks Evergreen's 25th anniversary and this significant milestone offers a great moment to celebrate great Canadian acts of city building from coast to coast. The Evergreen City Builders Awards celebrates change makers across Canada who are making our cities flourish by connecting people + natural + built worlds. Judges selected winners based on their dedication to building sustainable cities, their involvement in—and contributing to—their community, and how they inspire their fellow community members." (https://www.evergreen.ca/blog/entry/celebrating-canadas-top-city-builders/)
In September Mrs. Foster found out that she was a finalist for The Toyota Playground Placemaker Award, one of the three Canadian Top City Builders Awards.
"The Toyota Playground Placemaker Award recognizes outstanding innovation in the creation or activation of a Children’s Nature Playground. The nominee must demonstrate leadership in creating an innovative, natural outdoor environment for children and may do this in her or his capacity as a designer, educator, program director or learning grounds animator. This individual always puts the needs of children first and demonstrates a collaborative and participatory approach in her/his work." (https://www.evergreen.ca/blog/entry/celebrating-canadas-top-city-builders/)
The winner was Sandy Clee, the Senior Planner at the SCDSB in Central Ontario. (To learn about her accomplishments, please click on her name). However, the committee also recognized the finalists.
Congratulations to the following finalists:
Amelia Cox
Karen Eilersen
Sharon Foster
Brandon Jarvis Boutin
Ian Marcuse
Carly Meissner
Yvonne Westerveld Cordoso
Although not the winner, I was very surprised and honoured to be nominated and considered for such an incredible award. I am so grateful to be part of a much larger team - the students, teachers, and parents at SLE, and all the members of our local community who have helped make this gardening project a reality. In my eyes, we are all winners as we have helped make a difference in our world and have shown anything is possible when we work together. Thank-you for your support with this project!
In September Mrs. Foster found out that she was a finalist for The Toyota Playground Placemaker Award, one of the three Canadian Top City Builders Awards.
"The Toyota Playground Placemaker Award recognizes outstanding innovation in the creation or activation of a Children’s Nature Playground. The nominee must demonstrate leadership in creating an innovative, natural outdoor environment for children and may do this in her or his capacity as a designer, educator, program director or learning grounds animator. This individual always puts the needs of children first and demonstrates a collaborative and participatory approach in her/his work." (https://www.evergreen.ca/blog/entry/celebrating-canadas-top-city-builders/)
The winner was Sandy Clee, the Senior Planner at the SCDSB in Central Ontario. (To learn about her accomplishments, please click on her name). However, the committee also recognized the finalists.
Congratulations to the following finalists:
Amelia Cox
Karen Eilersen
Sharon Foster
Brandon Jarvis Boutin
Ian Marcuse
Carly Meissner
Yvonne Westerveld Cordoso
Although not the winner, I was very surprised and honoured to be nominated and considered for such an incredible award. I am so grateful to be part of a much larger team - the students, teachers, and parents at SLE, and all the members of our local community who have helped make this gardening project a reality. In my eyes, we are all winners as we have helped make a difference in our world and have shown anything is possible when we work together. Thank-you for your support with this project!
Mrs. Smith's Grade 4s and the Grade 2s worked together to haul buckets of bark mulch for parents to spread over the xeriscape bank. Some of the Grade 4 students were part of the original class who began the dream. Thanks to the City of West Kelowna for bringing us the beautiful mulch.
The signs to show case some of the plants have finally arrived. Hopefully they will be put into the ground by December.
Last spring the following students' art work were selected to be placed on the plaques:
Berberis Cherry Bomb Picture by Timur McNem
Brown-Eyed Susan Picture by Taylan Duhl
Coreopsis Yellow Picture by Jordan Albisten
Goldstrum Coneflower Picture by Huyen Nguyen
Magnus Conflower Picture by Ayumi Tamashiro
Purple Echinacea Picture by Erin Canham
Salvia East Friesland Picture by Makenna Tateda
Stonecrop Autumn Joy Picture by Alyssa Roberston
Saskatoon Berry Picture by Olivia Goward
Last spring the following students' art work were selected to be placed on the plaques:
Berberis Cherry Bomb Picture by Timur McNem
Brown-Eyed Susan Picture by Taylan Duhl
Coreopsis Yellow Picture by Jordan Albisten
Goldstrum Coneflower Picture by Huyen Nguyen
Magnus Conflower Picture by Ayumi Tamashiro
Purple Echinacea Picture by Erin Canham
Salvia East Friesland Picture by Makenna Tateda
Stonecrop Autumn Joy Picture by Alyssa Roberston
Saskatoon Berry Picture by Olivia Goward
At the end of October, we finally had a break from the rain and were able to head out to the garden to start winterizing.
On December 3, 2016 as it started to snow the school district crew arrived to cement the stands for our plant signs, spike the landscape ties and bring the rock for the pathway. It wasn't the best weather but they persevered. A few students braved the cold to check on their work.
This year spring weather came much later than the past few years. Much of March and April were cool and wet. When the weather finally began to warm up there was a lot to do in all the gardens.
Food Garden
Early May some parents, Chef Martin and Gardener Kristen came out to help our class and Ms Marsich's class get the food garden going.
Later on the grade 2s came out with their big buddy class to do some weeding and cleaning up in the xeriscape garden area. Some of the big buddies were the grade 2s that began this project back in 2014 and they were amazed how far the work had come.
RBC Team
Because of the RBC-Evergreen Watershed Champions Award, Adam Williams, Branch Manager, from RBC ( Royal Bank ) brought his RBC team out to our school as part of their community service project. Their goal was to help us with the xeriscape garden and pathway. RBC aslo gave us $1000.00 to help us pay for the supplies to continue working on the xeriscape and trail project. During their first work bee, some of the school community - teachers and volunteers, came out to work along side the RBC team to get as much done as possible. Some worked on thinning and transplanting grasses, while other worked on weeding. Several worked on the pathway.
The next day Adam Williams brought out a different team who worked with the Grade 2s to plant flowers, weed and finish the pathway section started yesterday. Chef Martin and Gardener Kristin also joined us. Some of the students even managed to build a few Inukshuks, representing a symbol from the First People up north.
Fish Stencilling
To remind everyone that we are all connected and that our actions have local consequences, Mrs. Foster successfully applied for a permit so her class could paint fish by the drains around the school neighbourhood. Our hope is to make people more aware. Eventually the things we put down the drains (soap, pesticides, oil, gas, garbage) end up in our lakes, rivers and ground water. Also, because we share the world with animals, we need to be careful with resources like water. Animals and the fish need it too. Since Shannon Lake is part of our neighbourhood we hope people will want to be water wise. It took us three different outtings to complete the project.
Work on the Upper Pathway
Once again the students were hard at work on the xeriscape garden trail. This time we were working on the top of the pathway. Our hope is to one day join the top with the bottom.
On June 21, 2017 Mayor Doug Findlater, Councillor Carol Zanon, Councillor Rosalind Neis and Corrine Jackson from the Okanagan Water Basin Board came out to our school to take a first hand look at our gardening project. The students were thrilled to take them on a tour of all the areas all the students in the school had worked on. At each stop different groups shared a little about the project, what they had done and what they had learned.
Last day of school June 2017
Since all of our visitors were so highly complementary about everything they had seen and heard, Shaw Communications came out on the last day of school to film a documentary of our garden project. It aired on TV in September and can be seen below.
It has been an incredible three year journey transforming our school grounds into learning gardens and outdoor classrooms. The students, staff, parents and local community should be proud of the legacy they helped create! Dreams always start in the imagination but hard work, perseverance, dedication, and teamwork can make it a reality. As I retire, my hope is that the gardens will continue to flourish, to expand and to be a place of imagination, learning, and play. My heartfelt thanks goes out to all of you for working with me on this great initiative. Remember no matter how small you are or how big your dream is, it can come true when we all work together. Continue to dream and work on about making the world a better place! Thank you! Mrs. Sharon Foster