In fall 2007, Parent Council voted in favour of Hawthorne becoming a member of Roots and Shoots.
From the Roots and Shoots website: http://www.janegoodall.ca/roots-shoots.php
The Roots & Shoots program is about making positive change happen-for our communities, for animals and for the environment. And it all starts with you! With tens of thousands of young people in almost 100 countries, the Roots & Shoots network branches out across the globe, connecting youth of all ages who share a common desire to help make our world a better place. This powerful, youth-driven network fosters a fun, flexible and supportive environment where young people and adults alike come together to share ideas and inspiration, implement successful community service projects and participate in special events and global campaigns.
Roots and Shoots is a program of the Jane Goodall Institute. The JGI’s three focus areas are: concern for animals, concern for the environment, concern for human communities. These priorities are very similar to our three at Hawthorne: peaceful school community, eco-school, and French. Because Roots and Shoots is global organization and they are many opportunities to interact with French-speaking youth in other countries or parts of Canada, Hawthorne’s French program can also be supported through
involvement in R&S. As an alternative school, we were also attracted by the fact that R&S promotes a youth-led approach.
In November, a representative from R&S came to the school and met with the teachers and a group of interested parents. She explained the resources that are available to us as members and showed us around the website. The teachers all have the password and some are already planning R&S projects for their classes!
A small group of parents is currently working on starting a Roots and Shoots after-school club for students. They would welcome help and input from other parents! Rhiannon has agreed to be the staff rep. Thank you Rhiannon!
And for more info on the club, contact Liz Haines – liz at tapasproductions dot com or Wendy Rowland wendyr at w-s-design dot com.