On September 24, 2025, the École secondaire catholique La Renaissance (Espanola) school community celebrated the inauguration of the school’s new greenhouse. Gathered on the school grounds, students from Grades 9 to 12, including those enrolled in the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) in Environment, staff members, and a few guests attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and the official opening of the greenhouse.
To mark the occasion, as well as National Forest Week, the school community also planted a maple tree on the school property.
This greenhouse project aligns with the school’s vision, which focuses on ecological and community leadership. In addition to enhancing the SHSM in Environment by providing students with opportunities to explore careers in the field, the greenhouse will promote experiential learning and the integration of various subjects such as science, mathematics, and the arts.
Through their active participation in growing plants and vegetables, students of all ages, including Kindergarten to grade 8 students at the school, will be able to develop their knowledge of agriculture, spark their curiosity, strengthen their entrepreneurial spirit and sense of responsibility, all while contributing to their physical and mental well-being.
“This greenhouse will serve as a catalyst to bring together the school community and our community partners,” explained Ms. Jennifer Bernard, Principal of École catholique La Renaissance. “This sustainable space will not only be an authentic educational tool for our students, but also a place where they can develop transferable life skills,” she added.
Photos:
Ribbon cutting – Jennifer Bernard (Principal), Tracey-Lynn Foucault (Superintendent of Education) and Jessica Gervais (Vice-principal) surrounded by the students and teachers of the Environment SHSM program.
Group photo – Grade 9 to 12 students, teachers and guests gathered around the newly planted maple tree.
Maple Tree 1 – Stephen Montgomery (teacher) and Sophyah (grade 11 student) work together to shovel soil onto the base of a newly planted maple tree.
Maple Tree 2 – Mya (grade 11 student) and Josée Lapointe (teacher) work together to shovel soil onto the base of a newly planted maple tree.
Submit News Tip
