Mushrooms and More
The last few weeks have been challenging to say the least. Between our usual COVID protocols, the change in weather, and the most recent flooding, our little school has seen some challenges. We’re weathering it together as a community, building each other up, and working hard to stay positive and resilient through it all.
As a school, some of that resilience has come from how we’ve embraced our natural surroundings and how we've chosen to make outdoor learning a regular part of our schedule. Aside from the predictability of routine adventures, there is something incredibly soothing and life-giving as our senses are filled with nature. From the bright, beautiful colours of the changing seasons, the sound of birds and ducks chatting away with their unique calls, the feel of leaves crunching underfoot, or squishy mushrooms pinched in our fingers, all the way to the strong and distinct smell of the Matsqui farms surrounding us! These are things we know we can count on. They have grounded us and connected each of us, as students and staff alike to this place.
Outdoor education is more than just implementing the curriculum. It embeds everything about the natural world into our beings. We are growing appreciation in our students for ways they can wonder, explore, and discover new things outside the confines of a classroom. We see them quietly becoming more aware of their place as they demonstrate empathy for the tiniest of creatures they encounter and respecting the space they share with all living beings. In this time of uncertainty and constant adjustment, finding ways to stay curious and continue learning has become imperative for us at Matsqui. As educators, we hope that our students will take the invitation to become life-long learners regardless of where they find themselves or their circumstances.