By Nicky Mey, Vice
Principal/Teacher
The Grade 2/3 classes from Eastview Elementary (Ms.
Herschmiller, Mrs. Mey/Ms. Jackson, Ms. Riglietti) are learning about plants as
part of their science inquiry for this term.
Our environmental stewards embarked on a partnership
with the City of North Vancouver and were part of an invasive weed pull in the
community space at Eastview Park.
Students were dressed for very wet and muddy weather
when they met with Frances and Alex from the City of North Vancouver who opened
with a snapshot of the habits and growth structure of the invasive plant,
English Ivy that is taking over our green space.
Armed with garden gloves, tarps, wheelbarrows and
sheer excitement, students went to work in the forest, pulling up the
relentless invader by the roots. They
shuffled the weeds by wheelbarrow to a tarp and then worked in small teams to
carry the weeds to a big, green waste disposal bin.
Pulling weeds is backbreaking work, unless you are 6,
7 or 8 years old; then it is pure primal fun in an outside learning space.
The youngsters beamed with excitement as they regaled
stories of massive weeds with roots as thick as a tree trunk, and their
teachers smiled knowing the seed for environmental stewardship had been planted
and now just needs to grow.
