The seedlings that had been nurtured since early spring – from carrots, to yellow and green beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, broccoli, corn and squash, to strawberries, pumpkins and cantaloupe – were transplanted in the community garden on June 19. Close to a dozen classes participated in the Planting Day field trip to Twin Forks Park. “This was a significant initiative and partnership for our school with our students giving back to their community while learning about plants, planting and sustainability,” Kristen Pichette, the principal of Lasalle
Elementary School, said in a rlease “Rainbow District School Board’s Indigenous Cultural Facilitator, Ozzie Osawamick, also attended Planting Day to share Indigenous ways of knowing.” Led by Lasalle’s EcoSchools lead, Lynn Laurin, the community garden proved to be an ideal lesson in environmental education with an important Indigenous component, while contributing towards the school’s EcoSchools certification for 2025-26. Lasalle Elementary School achieved Platinum certification this year, the highest standing in EcoSchools Canada. As the summer progresses, fruits and vegetables will be harvested for the community
to enjoy thanks to the little green thumbs at Lasalle Elementary School. Bluesky: @sudburystar.bsky.social X: @SudburyStar
Lasalle Elementary School, Twin Forks Park, Planting Day, community garden, EcoSchools, EcoSchools Canada, Indigenous ways of knowing, Ozzie Osawamick, Lynn Laurin, Kristen Pichette
Good for them I guess.
So they planted carrots and pumpkins but does anyone know if it’ll actually grow in time? Also the Indigenous part is cool but I feel like they could’ve just said that without all the school cert stuff.
Wait is this the same Twin Forks Park that had issues with vandalism like a year ago? Because if kids are out there planting strawberries and corn, I’m just thinking someone’s gonna rip it up. Hope it works though.
EcoSchools platinum certification… so basically they get rewarded for gardening? Sounds like a nice PR thing. Also why are we calling it Indigenous ways of knowing if it’s mostly just kids planting seeds? Like do they teach the history or just bring someone to say a few words and then everyone goes home?