In honour of Earth Month, St. Elizabeth School’s Grade 5 and 6 students in Ms. Penuela’s classroom are taking a hands-on approach to learning about sustainability, the environment, and the importance of community. Through their exciting garden construction project, these students are not only gaining valuable skills but also contributing to a brighter, more sustainable future.
A Garden of Opportunity
Students at St. Elizabeth have planted garlic and 175 tulip bulbs in the school’s garden beds, setting the stage for a flourishing garden that will serve as both an educational tool and a community asset. But this is only the beginning! Over the coming months, the students will continue working on their community garden project, featuring 8 garden beds dedicated to growing fresh, nutritious vegetables for local families in need.
The garden, located at the front of the school, is not just a patch of soil—it’s a living classroom where students learn about gardening, food production, and the environment. The project is also part of a broader initiative that encourages collaboration with Notre Dame High School, allowing students from both schools to work together to grow something meaningful.
Earth Month is about raising awareness of environmental issues and celebrating our planet. The garden project is a perfect way to engage students with the theme of Earth Month, as it focuses on sustainability, local food production, and community support. By actively planting and caring for the garden, students learn valuable lessons in environmental responsibility and how small actions—like growing their own food—can have a significant impact.
This project also highlights the importance of sustainable practices, such as using organic gardening techniques and reducing their carbon footprint by growing food locally. It’s a hands-on way for students to understand how what they do today can shape the world they live in tomorrow.
Giving Back to the Community
One of the garden’s most powerful features is its focus on community impact. The vegetables harvested will be donated to local families, providing fresh produce for those in need. This is a wonderful example of how the principles of Earth Month—caring for the Earth and supporting others—can be applied in a real, tangible way.
The garden allows students to learn not only about food sustainability but also about the importance of sharing resources to help others. As the garden grows, so will their sense of pride and fulfillment in knowing that their efforts are contributing to the well-being of their community.
Collaboration and Teamwork
The partnership with Notre Dame High School adds an exciting dimension to the. This partnership strengthens community bonds and encourages shared responsibility for the planet’s future. The collaboration between the Grade 5 and 6 students and the high school students at Notre Dame High School adds an exciting new aspect to the project. This intergenerational partnership fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility for the environment while teaching the younger students valuable skills like teamwork and collaboration.
Beautifying the School Grounds
In addition to the vegetable beds, the 175 tulip bulbs planted by the students will add beauty to the school grounds. As Earth Month celebrates the renewal of the Earth and the importance of protecting nature, the vibrant colours of the tulips will be a visual reminder of the positive impact we can have on our environment. Flowers like tulips brighten up spaces and support local pollinators, contributing to the ecosystem’s health.
Pollinators local to Ottawa, such as honeybees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, help ensure the health and growth of many plants, including those used for food and those that provide essential ecological services like supporting wildlife.
A Lasting Impact
As the students continue working on their gardens, they are not just growing food—they are growing their understanding of how they can make a difference in their community and the world around them. Earth Month is a time to reflect on how we can protect and nurture our planet, and the students at St. Elizabeth embody those values daily through their gardening projects.
This initiative is a perfect example of how hands-on learning can empower students to participate actively in creating a sustainable future. Planting seeds literally and figuratively helps shape a more environmentally conscious and community-oriented world.
Stay tuned for more updates as the garden grows throughout Earth Month and beyond! 🌱🌷 #ocsbEarth
