Hello and thank-you for checking this blog out!
The reason why I have created this blog is because I am hoping to share the goings-ons of the school garden and also provide a space for parents, families, friends, teachers, staff and students of Ecole Puntledge Park to provide their ideas and input.
So far, the school garden has a long list of wonderful and enthusiastic volunteers. Our only challenge so far is to find a time where most of us are available to have a garden work party. We all know how busy life can be yet we want to be involved with our children's school in whatever way we can, and that is so great. It is only by some fortunate fluke that I have more time this spring to dedicate to the garden (thank-you Universe) and I want to try and accommodate all the volunteers as well.
(above: Kale blooms in the school garden. Fall, 2009)
I am new to Puntledge School, and this is my first time ever trying to co-ordinate a group of people! Frankly, it freaks me out a bit (!) but it is an experience I am keen to learn from. I don't know where to begin, and I am unsure of the proper protocol, if there is any, when arranging school related activities. I feel a bit strange digging around in the garden during school hours, asking for keys to the tool shed, pruning things out... like,who do I think I am? Yet so far I have received such encouragement from the principal, the secretaries, and the teachers and their students who walk by, and of course, the parents I've talked to and worked with, it has been a fabulous, if tentative, start for me.
So far what is planned for the garden is to have Mme Messer's afternoon kindergarten class plant peas (les petit-pois!) this Thursday, April 1. I will be in Wednesday and Thursday to prepare the veggie bed (on the north-eastern side of the courtyard? The one without the lilac). I have compost to add to the soil and the pea seeds to provide the children.
Also, there has been some thought and discussion on making the second raised bed in the courtyard a native plant bed, out of respect for the school's natural surroundings and for the First Nations educational programing that happens at Puntledge Park.
An added bonus is that native plants require little care and watering once they are established, and can withstand the playful feet and curious hands of the children. It is my hope--and this is subject to whatever everyone thinks is best--to make this bed edible and non-toxic, and also interpretive, with signage that explains the plant's significance to the First Nations people from around the area and Vancouver Island.
In addition, I have learned that the Aboriginal Education students will be putting out a book detailing the plants in the Salmon Forest beside the school and their significance to the First Peoples of the Comox Valley. Yay! I am hoping the Ab Ed students can provide the Puntledge School Garden with direction--and maybe even a plant list or design--for the second raised bed?
It was suggested to me for the volunteers to have a set "garden work day" by which teachers can rely on if they chose to bring out their classes to "get their hands dirty" so to speak. I want to involve as may parent garden volunteers as possible but it is a challenge finding a time that works for everyone, so for the month of April I am going to say Thursdays from 1pm to 2:30. I will call around and see if there is another time and day for the month of May which would suit another volunteer.
Also, PAC chair Gaylene introduced me to the Farm to School program which links local farmers and schools to provide fresh, nutritional produce to students. I will post that link on this blog, as well as other links about the (international) school garden movement, and other topics pertaining to school gardens!
Thanks for your patience!
L
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