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Principal's BulletinFriday March 28, 2008Welcome to Spring!April, a perfect month to get kids outdoors to explore puddles and ponds, navigatestreets on their bikes and check out the new species of growth in the Bishop Grandin Greenway. Getting kids outside rather than staying plugged-in to the latest video game will be challenging but could result in many educational advantages. Coincidently, at a time when kids are lacking in physical fitness, being outside in nature, will help develop and promote physical wellness. Richard Louv, author of “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature- Deficit Disorder”, states that outside play not only helps kids stay fit, but also connects kids to the environment and helps them develop a sense of stewardship for all of nature. The “out in nature” issue is being addressed by authors, environmental groups and schools including Victor Mager School. Sue Baldock, Grade 3 Teacher,and Jennifer Oborne-Crolly, Student Services are our representatives, working with the City of Winnipeg, Manitoba Hydro and Bishop Grandin Greenway Inc. (BGGI), to make the green space along Bishop Grandin more accessible to the community for educational and recreational purposes. One project involves construction and development of an Eco-Education site near the southeast corner of the retention pond located midway between Dakota Street and St. Anne Road. The City of Winnipeg will be placing limestone blocks to be used for seating along the asphalt pathway and will be adding identifying signage. Researchers with the BGGI indicate that “several hundred metres of this site are grassland, wetland, aquatic and forest habitats, supporting a variety of wild species of plants, birds, small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles and a myriad of invertebrates, including butterflies and aquatic insects.” This area is rich with active living species for all of us to learn about and enjoy and it is right in our backyard. Because of the variety of species and habitats, students will have opportunities for study including the NatureWatch programs: FrogWatch, PlantWatch, WormWatch, IceWatch. The Eco-Ed site could support actives in art, photography, language arts, city planning, social studies and physical education. As a family, this site will be available for you to explore. After your children learn about this area, they will be able to help your family understand and appreciate this natural space. As a community, we can appreciate how such a site can benefit us all and work together to keep the site graffiti free and help reduce vandalism. This Eco-Ed site, almost in our backyard, provides us with a valuable opportunity to get outdoors to use educationally and recreationally. At the Earth Day 7 Teachings (Sabe) Assembly on April 22, our school will learn more about the BG Greenway project. Grade 9 students will present information to help us learn about this small part of the earth, why we need it and how we can help protect what is left of this natural area. Please join us on April 22, 10:15. Recent Bulletins:Mar-28-2008 Welcome to Spring! Archived Bulletins:
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