Roberts Creek Elementary planting ‘Seeds of Collaboration’

Approximately 50 people – including representatives of School District No. 46 (SD46), the SCRD, supportive community members, school staff and parents – filled the Roberts Creek Elementary School Library recently for a presentation by Dr. Leta Berchailo of Powell River, coordinator of the Discover Imaginate Grow Schoolyard (DIGS) garden project at James Thomson Elementary whereby the school and the community collaborated to create a garden on the school grounds similar to the current proposal for Roberts Creek.

The proposed site of the garden is part of the school grounds, comprising .07 hectares (1/6 acre) sited outside of the fence, is not currently utilized. Betty Baxter, SD46 Board Chair, noted that the Trustees passed a motion three years ago stating that they would like to see this parcel developed as a garden. “We made it to yes – how (we get there) is more difficult.” An agreement whereby the community and the school may be sharing part of the grounds would be a first for SD46, which has not developed partnerships like this at the elementary school level.

As Dr. Leta Berchailo led the audience through a fun and informative slide show of  a similar project in Powell River. Describing the “muddy, messy but awesome” process, she explained the small steps that brought concept to reality.

Anyone interested in the proposed project or wishing more information may contact the Roberts Creek Community School at 604-885-3481.

Submitted by Mary Degan