By Melody Ashford
We have only been in school a short time, but the EcoClass is already doing big things.
The zucchini that grows in the garden at Kettle Creek Public School has proved to be a tasty treat. We used our own homegrown plants to make baked goods such as cookies, bread, and cake to share with the class.
This isn’t the only treat we had. In only the second week of school, we went to Lake Erie Salmon and Trout Club, on Thomas Road, to observe native species in our Carolinian forest. (We walked, as there was no bus due to COVID-19, but walking reduced our carbon footprint.)
There, we collected and identified leaves from the ground, so that we could bring them back to school. With our leaves, we created art pieces that showcase the native species of southwestern Ontario.
As a class, we will create an art gallery with our work so that the rest of the school can see the wonderful trees that belong to our forest, as well as what the EcoClass has been up to.
In addition to that, our class is working on brochures, books, websites and more, cataloguing the plants we have been growing in our garden to share with the rest of the school.
From garden-grown zucchini treats to trout farm trips, this school year in the EcoClass has already been eventful, successful, and promising.
Melody Ashford is a Grade 8 student at Kettle Creek Public School. Ontario EcoSchools is an environmental education program helping students develop ecological literacy and environmental practices to become environmentally responsible citizens.