Vic West now has a Children’s Garden!
In early November, a dedicated team of volunteers made up of students, teachers, parents, and members of the Vic West Food Security Collective helped make a long-time dream come true by installing seven garden boxes behind the school.
A place for learning and growth
The garden will be a quiet, calm and special place where every child can go. It is also an outdoor classroom where students will learn:
- Hands-on techniques for planting, tending and harvesting a variety of vegetables, berries, herbs, edible flowers and fruit trees;
- The basics of soil health including composting and the role of insects;
- Plant uses beyond human food, such as natural dyes and weaving plant fibers; and
- How anyone can be an environmental steward by caring for the land we share.
A hub for the community
In its first year, students will help build a seed library at the garden by planting, harvesting and packaging seeds to share. In the next few years, the goal is to include Indigenous foods and pollinator plants, and create a children’s art installation.
Contact: jkosh@sd61.bc.ca
Help us grow
There will be opportunities for parents, guardians and family members to be actively involved in supporting classrooms in the planting, tending and maintenance of the garden year-round. Call-outs for volunteers may come from individual teachers, the school newsletter, or check our school’s website under the tab “Our School” for current updates and happenings with the garden.
Donate
We are also raising funds for the start-up costs of this important project. You can make a tax-deductible donation through School District 61’s School Cash Online platform by selecting “Victoria West Elementary” and specifying that it is for the garden in the “Message to School Board” box. There is also link to the donation platform on the Victoria West Elementary homepage at https://vicwest.sd61.bc.ca
