Eaton School has spent a very long time on a project allowing students to experience gardening and agriculture in their outdoor classroom. Unfortunately, last August, the teepee, water fountain, watering system, and all the plants the students had grown were vandalized and destroyed. This year, Nichole Bredy and her class are working hard to restore the classroom to what it was prior to the vandalism.
“I think the beauty of it is that the community comes together and focuses on the positive and restarts, and I'm very thankful to Jennifer Bews and Kirsten Theaker and the students in Eatonia that rebuilt it this year. I'm just so, so proud to be a Spartan,” said Nichole
The school staff and students all appreciate the area for days when they struggle to focus in the classroom. “The classroom can be a stressful place, and just going outside can alleviate some of that,” she said. “According to Outdoor Play Canada, only 33% of children meet the physical activity mandates in Canada, and that's kind of scary.”
Nichole isn't the only one putting time into this project. Jennifer Bews is taking courses at the University of Saskatchewan and bringing all her knowledge back to help properly grow the plants. Kirsten Theaker, and the classes from grades 5-9 at Eaton school are helping by installing solar panels and planting items.
This year, they are growing a Saskatchewan native plant garden, which includes hollyhock and yarrow plants in the garden. Nichole also plans to expand the outdoor area by creating a knowledge path around the school with QR codes explaining different plants and their purpose on the land.
Nichole encourages anyone in the community if they want to help, they can walk around the space and see what all they have been growing. “I think if the community wants to be involved or support the garden, I guess just being a part of the space, coming and looking at it, engaging in it, and just learning from the students and asking them questions.”
