The Rotary Club of Barrie has awarded three local schools with grants to support environmental programs in their school communities.
The Simcoe County District School Board announced the schools and their projects on Tuesday.
Cundles Heights Public School, Eastview Secondary School and Mapleview Heights Elementary School were selected to receive grants after completing the Rotary Club’s application process.
Cundles Heights Public School received $700 to create garden boxes to house pollinator and butterfly gardens. The money was used to purchase materials to build the boxes as well as soil and plants for the gardens. Grade 8 students built the boxes, and the school garden club and community helpers will maintain the gardens.
Eastview Secondary School received a $2,000 grant to support greening of the school grounds. The school's EcoTeam is working in partnership with the administration and custodial staff, as well as board staff, to plant mature trees. This will provide students with the opportunity to access shade and strengthen their connection to nature. This project is also being supported with funding from the school board's Environmental Investment Program.
Mapleview Heights Elementary School received $1,300 to support converting their existing gardens at the front of the school to pollinator gardens. This project includes students from throughout the school, including those in the developmental skills and life skills programs, and members of the school Green Team. Members of the school community are also involved in the project by creating the landscape plan and supporting maintenance of the garden through the summer months.
