EarthCARE in Action

 

R. Byrns Curry School's "Walking School Bus"

April 26, 2007

Earth Day Celebrations kicked off early Friday morning at R. Byrns Curry School with a "Walking School Bus". Five bus routes of students joined together throughout the community under the direction of teachers and parents and walked to school. The driver of the "Walking School Bus" was Ottawa's new police chief, Vern White, in his first official duty. On arrival at school the students were lead into the gym for an Earth Day Celebration. Speakers at the assembly included Chief White, Johanne Lacombe, Executive Director of "Go for Green", and two students from The Green Club which helped organized the activities.

The students at R. Byrns Curry received a special message from David Suzuki. "Please wish the children my very best. What they are doing should be a model for schools all across Canada. Thanks for walking more softly on Mother Earth."

The walls of the gym were decorated with "Do Not Litter Posters" and beautiful animal drawings depicting endangered species. Both the drawings and posters were made by the students during art classes. During the assembly two students read poems about Saving the Planet and the Effect of Pollution on the Earth. The assembly closed with two songs for EarthCARE, Evergreen and Recycle Depot. These songs were sung by the entire student body using hand actions to accompany the words.

Finally, students went out to clean up the yard as part of "Clean-Up the Capital" initiative. Thank you to Caroline Reiker, Tracey Tinley and Ted MacEwen, teachers at R. Byrns Curry for leading the students in a worthwhile and impressive day!