How does one get acquainted with a school? "From the yard," they are convinced at Borovskaya Secondary School. Here, they prove their words with actions. It is probably not by chance that the environmental project by tenth-graders Oleg Mysin and Vladislav Vashchuk took third place in the republican competition "Native Land – Belarus." In the district stage, the boys took first place, and in the regional stage – second.
How does one get acquainted with a school? "From the yard," they are convinced at Borovskaya Secondary School. Here, they prove their words with actions. It is probably not by chance that the environmental project by tenth-graders Oleg Mysin and Vladislav Vashchuk took third place in the republican competition "Native Land – Belarus." In the district stage, the boys took first place, and in the regional stage – second.
"My Dream Schoolyard" is the title of their work. However, they did not delve into the details of their fantasy, but rather described what is being done at their educational institution. The school garden rightfully occupies a central place. Its creation was initiated by the director, Viktor Azarenok, in the year of the 60th anniversary of the Great Victory. The students reflected the entire history of the garden in their project pages, including photographs of the trees and the garden's establishment ceremony attended by veterans.
65 apple trees, 23 pear trees, and 12 plum trees were planted in the first year. Flowerbeds were adorned with asters, snapdragons, dahlias, and marigolds. Later, two rock gardens were created. Fifty rose bushes, phloxes, daisies, thujas, and junipers were given a place of honour.
Before the garden appeared, the territory was landscaped and cleared of debris. School students actively participated in this work. Such activities became not only part of labour and environmental education but also civic-patriotic upbringing.
"By learning the practical value of invested labour, children treat school property with more care," is one of the conclusions noted in the project. Furthermore, fruits from their own garden for the school lunch are not a novelty for the students. At the last district harvest festival "Generous Lepel Region," Borovskaya School received first place for "Apple Lady," made from fruits from their own garden.
From weeding in the summer to collecting seeds in the autumn, the school grounds are being improved year-round. In winter, the greening continues, albeit in the classrooms. The purchase of new plants is what awaits the garden in the future.
Ekaterina OSOVSKAYA