Students and staff at Yellowquill School are taking environmental responsibility into their own hands during the third annual Beautification Days here in Portage la Prairie,
Grade 5 teacher Cole Goyak has been spearheading their efforts for the past three years, organizing activities for staff and students to partake in.
"We take one day out of the year, usually around Earth Day, to pick up garbage and clean up our school grounds," Goyak explained. "It's about keeping the area safe and clean for everyone."
More than just a cleanup effort, it's an opportunity for environmental education. In the lead-up to the activities, classrooms talked about pollution, recycling, and the role students can play in preserving the planet.
"We're currently exploring our weather unit and talking about pollution. This ties perfectly into those lessons."
Students took their assignments seriously, setting personal goals like filling multiple bags of trash.
"The kids really enjoy doing it. They like getting outside and seeing the direct impact they're making. It's rewarding."
Grade 5 student Emily Brown summed up the motivation behind the event: "If we pick up everything and make the Earth cleaner, then it will be a better place to live."
Her classmate, Brylee Volans, echoed her comment, adding, "We talked about how it helps the Earth... so it's cleaner and the animals can live their life."
The event extended beyond the schoolyard. "We even went onto the Crescent because there wasn't enough garbage on school grounds," said Goyak. "Maybe next year we'll expand into the Kelly K area. If every school and neighborhood did their part, it would make a big difference."
The students are also responsible for the school's recycling program, reinforcing the importance of environmental stewardship. "It's a simple task to separate things," Goyak said. "It's made a real difference here."
With growing enthusiasm and participation each year, Yellowquill school taking part in Beautification Days has become more than a tradition it’s a hands-on lesson in community care and environmental responsibility.