By Trillium Lakelands District School Board
On March 22, V.K. Greer Memorial Public School (VKGM) celebrated the maple syrup time of year with many cultural experiences for all students. Each winter students take the learning outside, walking trails, immersing in nature, and tapping maple trees to learn the art of making maple syrup.
Continuing a long standing tradition at VKGM, community volunteers, Jesse and Jo Walton, worked at the school’s maple syrup shack where students experienced the reduction of sap from the trees on the school’s property.
VKGM core French teachers, Jeff Barrett and Samantha Andrews, brought the experience of La Tire, an old-fashioned treat in Québec, also known as tire d’érable. It happens in the late winter and early spring as the maple syrup harvest begins and snow is still on the ground. Bins were filled with fresh, clean snow. Then, boiled and reduced maple syrup was poured in strips over the snow, chilling it to a taffy-like consistency. As the Québecois say, “Attention aux dents!” Students also enjoyed crepes and French music throughout the day.
Finally, Elder Christopher Stock brought the traditional Indigenous way of making maple syrup to our students. Elder Stock is working with students and staff throughout the school year to present an interactive Indigenous cultural experience and provide a greater awareness and understanding of Haudenosaunee culture, knowledge, history, and worldview. Through story and demonstration, students watched as fire-heated rocks were placed in sap, creating syrup for all to enjoy.
“VKGM was honoured to host a beautiful first day of spring outdoors learning through tradition and culture,” said VKGM principal, Kelli Gates. “This was made possible by staff, their families, volunteers, and businesses, ensuring the experience of maple syrup continues for future VK Vipers.”
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So nice to see VK Greer Public School makes the news. And this Utterson school history of maple syrup making continues after a former grade six teacher, Eleanor Unsworth introduced the students to this Canadian tradition. Around Circa 1960’s, school property maple trees were tapped, the sap gathered by students’ hands, boiled into the liquid sweet with open pans and wood fire under Eleanor’s capable oversight. The finished product was sold to the school’s community with rave reviews. It was a lovely contribution to student outdoor learning and skill activity. So many teachers over the years contributed much. The annual fall parade in Huntsville was a gem for VK Greer with lots of practice in the halls marching before the day. Smartly turned out; the girls in tunic uniform, the boys in dark pants and shirt, it was the good smart performance of students on parade. Organizing seasonal concerts, of songs, plays, & speech competitions required concerted teachers effort; blessings; with grade 2-3 teacher – Marjorie Insley, Marge Patterson, Music Teacher, Jean Clarke, Grade 4 and many others throughout the rich history of this school’s opening. Trips were the inspiring reward for students but first mastering skills of fundraising, community social interaction which provided solid results: Trips to theatre/museums/ in Toronto, the Zoo, Expo 67 are a few examples. What a history for all who attended and those who do now in making this school’s tradition continue.