When Westshore Centre for Learning teacher Debbie Lodewijk started a gardening program at the school, the initial response was rather mild.
B次元官网网址淲hen we first introduced the idea two years ago there was some resistance from the students. B次元官网网址榊ou canB次元官网网址檛 make me go outsideB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址業 donB次元官网网址檛 want to,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� she recalled. B次元官网网址淓very single reluctant student over the last two years has turned a corner and theyB次元官网网址檙e really involved in the project.B次元官网网址�
While the garden at the Sooke Road facility has been in place for many years, it was recently revitalized and now boasts 18 fruit trees, a brand new greenhouse, a mason bee colony and 48 new garden boxes built by the schoolB次元官网网址檚 carpentry program.
Food grown at the garden B次元官网网址� which includes leafy greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes and a variety of berries B次元官网网址� goes to the students themselves, as well as the culinary program at Royal Bay secondary. Eight garden boxes are also used by the YMCA/YWCA and can be rented by contacting them.
But first and foremost, the program presents students with an excellent learning opportunity.
B次元官网网址淚 realized last year that there were kids who didnB次元官网网址檛 even know how to hold a rake or a shovel,B次元官网网址� Lodewijk said.
B次元官网网址�(ItB次元官网网址檚) life skills B次元官网网址� and itB次元官网网址檚 an opportunity for stress and anxiety management. A lot of kids have identified that they feel so much better after working outside.B次元官网网址�
Some students have even started projects of their own at home.
B次元官网网址淚 would never have even been a gardener. (Now) IB次元官网网址檓 starting garden boxes in my backyard,B次元官网网址� said Carlos Costa. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a little side hobby.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚 enjoy planting something and watching it grow. You just see something that youB次元官网网址檙e actually making. YouB次元官网网址檙e helping the ground and youB次元官网网址檙e making organic food for your families and communities,B次元官网网址� added Brianna Halliday. B次元官网网址淚 tried gardening (before) but I wasnB次元官网网址檛 very good at it. Now that IB次元官网网址檓 in this class IB次元官网网址檓 more successful in gardening.B次元官网网址�
Community members looking to support the schoolB次元官网网址檚 efforts will have a great opportunity to do that on May 13 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) through a plant sale fundraiser at the school (2139 Sooke Rd). Large varieties of veggie starts and berry plants will be for sale by donation.
