Canada's 150th birthday is still nine months away, but Valley View Public School was busy preparing for that special milestone Oct. 13.
That's because the school won 500 red and 500 white tulip bulbs as part of the Canada's 150th Anniversary Celebration Garden Giveaway, spearheaded by the Canadian Garden Council.
The bulbs were given away to 150 groups across the country. Also listed among the winners is Elm West Playground.
Valley View students and staff have planted the bulbs in the shape of a Canadian flag on school grounds, close to the roadway.
“This is a pretty big deal for our school,” said Grade 7 student Apollonia Gil-Alfau. “I can't wait to come back here and see it when we're older. Hopefully they don't get destroyed. It's going to be beautiful. I hope it turns out well, and we placed the right ones in the right place.”
Valley View principal Chantal Lacroix and administrative assistant Darlene Melin decided to enter the contest over the summer.
When the tulips are in bloom next year, the school will hold an early Canada Day celebration next to the garden.
“It's a very big project, and I'm very proud our school was able to get this opportunity,” Lacroix said. “It's Canada's 150th birthday. It's going to happen once, it's not going to happen twice, so it's a very big opportunity.”
Rainbow District School Board trustee Judy Kosmerly, who attended the bulb planting Thursday afternoon, thanked all those who made the garden possible.
“Next spring, the tulips we are planting today will become a colourful, blooming flag of red and white in the school's front yard, showing our community, our city and our country how proud the Eagles at Valley View Public School are to be Canadians and to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday.”
Mayor Brian Bigger was also on hand for the event.
“It'll provide us with an opportunity to stop and smell the flowers, reminding us of just how beautiful our country is, while inspiring our future generations to work to ensure that Canada stays this way,” he said.
