John Fisher Chemin de la Nature

History of the John Fisher ‘Chemin de la Nature’ project

The John Fisher Chemin de la Nature project was launched to celebrate the building’s 120^th anniversary. The trail encompasses 12 sites of interest within the school. Eventually, each class chooses a site and documents its discoveries in class work. Some of this work is already exhibited on this website.

The aim of the Nature Trail is to make students more aware of nature and to encourage them to take responsibility for their surroundings. Students pledge to care for the earth as they garden, plant trees, and explore schoolyard habitats. The possibilities for students are endless. Each class may select to use the trail for taking pictures, making observations, doing research, creating art and literature inspired by the site and season, or simply to get closer to nature. We hope it will be enjoyed by teachers, parents and other members of the community. We also hope this electronic repository of local ecological information can be enjoyed by generations to come and may be used as a guide in the evolution of our school’s ground for many other future anniversaries.

We dedicate this project to Mme. Clare Mian, JF principal 2001-2009, whose commitment to the school and to the environment in general is a great source of inspiration. Thank you, not only for enabling many projects but also, for accepting each idea with great enthusiasm and support.

Yours,

The John Fisher PS Green Committee

At the beginning of the millenium…

JF Playground in 2000

As one of the oldest elementary school in the TDSB, John Fisher PS has gone through many physical changes since 1887. The latest occurred in 2000 when, John Fisher, among 76 schools, had their playground structures removed as, it did not meet the revised CSA standards regarding safety of wooden play structures. The school was left with a gravel and asphalt lot for playing.

In 2003 a concerned group of parents, staff and administration banded together to address the situation and the Green Committee was formed with a Mandate - To create a healthy outdoor space that will provide a range of benefits including:

Increase children’s sense of well being
Have more opportunities for safe active play
Offer more diversity and beauty
Formal and informal learning areas
Environmental Stewardship

JF Playground in 2007

Click here to view a quick map of le Chemin’s stops of interest.

Drought-resistant Herb Garden
Songbird Entrance Garden
Kindergarten Pen
Secret Garden
Butterfly garden
Primary playground raised beds
Junior playground native shrubs
Woodland Garden & Outdoor classroom
Keewatin Entrance trees
Mini lab for climate change Garden
3 soldiers
Circle of Friendship classroom

Explore John Fisher Chemin de la Nature

Be part of Nature. Come take a walk around and learn about our school environment with over 100 trees, 1,000 plants and 225 different varieties to choose from.

Can you guess how many trees we have in our school, including the sidewalks? For the answer, join the tree tour.

Begin your adventure here.

For an inventory of our school trees see: John Fisher – Established trees and John Fisher – Small trees

To see what is blooming in the garden this week, please check here.