Without student voice, we are unable to advance as a school. Likewise, it is no different when it comes to protecting our planet. Our children know best. This year, the Junior School had the opportunity to write a letter to Mother Earth in the student-led Dear Mother Earth competition. Thank you to Jaime So (Grade 6) and Brooke Saurman (Grade 6) for creating this activity, and congratulations to the winners: Emma Bao (Grade 7) for the Grade 7/8 category, and to Zachary Smith (Grade 5) for the Grade 4/5/6 category. Below are their reflections.
Dear Mother Earth,
I am writing to tell you something remarkable I learned from you. Even though I was made aware of this, it never really stood out this clear. Throughout this pandemic, we have all seen the damage it can cause, it has caused, but have we looked at the other side of this painting? I see that you seem to have hit the reset button, reclaiming the spaces to heal yourself as the anthropogenic activities have slowed down. Amidst all the gloom and doom that the pandemic is giving, there seems to be a proverbial silver lining and some positive consequences as well. With the cleaner air in your surrounding, the noise pollution going down, the water becomes a little more clear, the coral tinting a bit brighter, everything just becoming a little better.
We breathe your fresh air. We drink your clear water. We eat your nourishing food. Your herbs heal us when we’re sick.
Earth, wherever there is soil, water, rock, or air, you are there, nourishing us and giving us life. Just as the sun and stars are present in you, they are also present in us. You are not outside of us and we are not outside of you. You are more than just our environment. You are nothing less than us humans. You have shown us the other side of this story.
We promise to keep the awareness alive that you are always in us, and we are always in you. We promise to be aware that your health and well-being are my health and well-being. We know we need to keep this awareness alive in me for us both to be peaceful, happy, healthy, and strong.
Sometimes we forget. Lost in the confusion and worries of daily life, including this pandemic, we sometimes forget that we have a body at all. Unaware of the presence of ourselves and the beautiful planet around us and within us, we are unable to cherish and celebrate the precious gift of life you have given us. So dear Earth, my deep wish is to wake up to the miracle of life and for you to once again show us the other side of this detailed and complicated painting. We promise to push ourselves to be present for ourselves, our lives, and for you in every moment. We know that our true presence is the best gift we can offer to you, the one who has made offers too great.
Thank you for giving me the chance to see a brighter world, the brighter world. I hope once we withstand this pandemic, you, our Earth, will still look this beautiful.
Stay with us,
Emma
(Grade 7C)
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April 22, 2021
Dear Mother Earth,
I send this letter as a thank you for everything you have done. Giving us life, drinking water, edible food, and warm shelter. Thank you for sharing your beauty and love. Thank you for everything you have done to all of us here on your surface.
There are so many ways I can thank you, but I cannot forget to say what I LOVE about you. I love how you cared for us. Keeping us protected under your care. I LOVE how you gave us things to eat and drink so that we could survive.
I will try to help you by picking up garbage that I see, and I will try to spread the message by telling people to not litter and help clean up. My favourite part about you is your beauty and how it affects the nature around us.
Sincerely,
Zachary Smith
(Grade 5)
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Reminder for Students As a challenging year comes to an end for students and teachers, we ask for your support in reminding your child to attend all classes, including Super Student Skills where important skills needed for school success are taught. Thank you yet again for your ongoing support. We are truly appreciative!