By Connie Tabbert
Editor
BEACHBURG — An outdoor education class is being established in a corner of the school yard at Beachburg Public School.
Carly Meissner is the school co-ordinator of KidActive, which is a Renfrew County organization, and has been working with schools to create natural play and learning spaces.
Recently, Beachburg Public School received a $1,000 grant from the Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds Grant School Ground Greening Grants. And, Petawawa Toyota matched that, donating another $1,000 to the school, Ms. Meissner said.
The money was used to purchase 15 trees, which were all planted last Sunday by a group of parent volunteers. The trees included maples, birch and Linden basswood and were purchased at Sunset Nursery. They were placed around the playground, swings and where an outdoor class will be established.
One of the trees planted will be dedicated to the memory of Zachary Lapointe who died in a watercraft accident this past summer. He is the son of Jim and Brenda who own Petawawa Toyota. School principal Jody Kitson-Roy, who was one of the volunteers Sunday morning, said a plaque will be purchased and placed at the memory tree.
Beachburg Public School also received $3,500 from TD Friends of the Environment Fund, which will go towards further greening as well as the outdoor class space, said Ms. Kitson-Roy.
Volunteer Kevin Theriault had the fun job Sunday, as he was using his mini excavator to dig the holes for the 15 trees.
Ms. Meissner said a natural play committee, which included five staff members and various parents, was organized at Beachburg Public School and they have been meeting about once a month since last winter. The outdoor play area will have various natural items for the students to play with, such as wooden discs and large boulders and stones.
Ms. Meissner said this is a pilot project and she worked on creating natural learning and play areas with three public and two Catholic schools – Beachburg, Sherwood Public School in Barry’s Bay, Mackenzie Community School in Deep River, Our Lady of Fatima in Renfrew and Holy Name Catholic School in Pembroke.
She is hopeful more schools will apply for the grant. Ms. Kitson-Roy said she doesn’t believe any school that applies will be turned down. There are four times a year grant money is handed out.
