Outdoor learning at Norwood District Public School
Every class at Norwood District Public School played an important role in the establishment of a Pollinator Garden on Tuesday, May 16 in celebration of International Day for Biodiversity.
The new pollinator garden is approximately 450 square foot in size, and is the second phase of a project that has resulted in the creation of 900 square feet of pollinator habitat and a new location for outdoor learning opportunities for students at Norwood District Public School.
The new garden was planted with 152 native pollinator plants with the help of almost 200 students. To enhance local biodiversity, native plant species were used including common mMilkweed, grey-headed coneflower, wild strawberry, blue vervain, blazing star, spotted Joe pye weed, pearly everlasting, swamp milkweed, Canada wild rye, hairy beardtongue, heath aster, sneezeweed, and sweet oxeye daisy.
Staff from Otonabee Conservation and the Ontario Invasive Plant Council provided in-class and outdoor instruction to the students and assisted them as they planted the gardens. The program was delivered as part of the “Be a Watershed Steward” program, an education program delivered in partnership by Camp Kawartha and Otonabee Conservation.
Funding for the pollinator garden at Norwood District Public School was provided by the Biodiversity Education and Awareness Network, Norwood District Public School, Norwood and District Horticultural Society, and Camp Kawartha. Once the plants were in the ground, students completed the garden by adding mulch and water as part of Outdoor Classroom Day on May 18. Outdoor Classroom Day began in the United Kingdom in 2012 and is a global initiative for getting students and their teachers out of their classrooms and outside.
Masonic open house
The Norwood Masonic Lodge, 23 Spring St. is hosting an open house this Saturday June 3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in celebration of the 300th year of Free Masonry. All are welcome to come and learn about the oldest and largest fraternity in the world. Free Masonry spans the globe with its goal of “making good men better” Find out how this ancient brotherhood continues to thrive today, and how you can be a part of it!
Donegal Fiddlers dance
In celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday, dance with the Donegal Fiddlers to an all Canadian fiddle music program, Saturday June 3 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Norwood Town Hall, 2357 County Road 45 Norwood. Admission is $5. Lunch is finger food pot luck. Kick up your heels to jigs, reels, 2 steps and square dance tunes. All welcome.
Masonic barbeque
Where’s the beef? At the annual Masonic beef barbeque on Saturday, June 10 at the Asphodel Norwood Community Centre from 4 to 7 p.m. Succulent barbecued beef, baked potatoes and all the trimmings, this is one of those yearly events that you “just have to go to”. Adults $15, Children under 12 is $7, Pre-schoolers eat free. Tickets are available at J. J. Stewart Motors, Norwood Home Hardware, Centennial Pharmacy and from any lodge member.
Strawberry supper
A sure sign that good warm weather is upon us is the announcement of the date for the annual Norwood/Westwood Pastoral Charge Strawberry Supper. Be sure to mark Wednesday June 21 in your calendar for one of Norwood’s biggest annual social events of the year. More details will be provided as the date gets closer.