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Pakenham Public School Plants Daffodil Bulbs to Commemorate Truth and Reconciliation
Pakenham Public School Plants Daffodil Bulbs to Commemorate Truth and Reconciliation
Posted on 10/19/2021

October 19, 2021 (Pakenham, ON) – On Friday, Oct. 15, Liza Hicks’ Grade 2 and 3 students at Pakenham Public School sat excitedly in the school front entrance hallway. After a quick briefing on safety and planting rules, each student was given a plastic bag filled with daffodil bulbs, a shovel, and sent outside to start their planting adventures.

 

The students were planting 156 daffodil bulbs in the front yard below the school’s road sign. The bulbs were a donation from local philanthropist Al Potvin, who has donated to several local schools.

 

“With the daffodil flower signifying rebirth and new beginnings, the gesture was completed as a reminder of the children lost in the residential schools,” explains Pakenham Public School Principal Sherrie Guthrie. “We have 156 students currently enroled at Pakenham Public School, so the students planted 156 bulbs.”

 

Potvin’s donation is a prime example of the community support for the school.

 

“Our collaboration extends deep into the community as the community has deep roots in our school,” says Guthrie. “Often when walking in the halls you will hear our students talk about their siblings, parents or grandparents who are displayed on the walls of our school. We’re truly a community-based school.”

 

After the Grade 2 and 3 students dug into the soil and placed each bulb into the ground, they proudly showcased their work to the staff members helping them with the planting.

 

“These experiential learning opportunities provide our students with life-long skills, they also demonstrate our school board’s values tied to respect, empathy and caring when reflecting on Truth and Reconciliation, and how there’s more work to be done,” says local Trustee Donald Cram.

 

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For more information, please contact:

April Scott- Clarke

Manager of Communications, UCDSB

[email protected]

 

 

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