Lisa Scott
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (July 01/05) - You can tell how much a house or building is loved by how well its garden is tended.

In the fifth year of a "grounds beautification project", the devotion of Ecole St. Joseph staff and students is evident in their geraniums and pansies.

Last year the school planted $1,000 worth of perennial shrubs in the front area. This year they added nine plant boxes -- built, varnished and planted by students.

"It's ownership and pride and creating an environment they can be proud of," says principal Flo Campbell.

Grade 6 student Keegan Lower knows how important it is to care for his school.

Once the boxes were in place, he and brother Kyle spent an evening planting them.

"One good turn deserves another," says the wise 12-year-old.

For Campbell and teacher Carmen Gobeil, whose class started seedlings and studied plant growth for the project, sparking the kid's interest in caring for the grounds is their stand against the vandalism the school suffers from periodically. Campbell is thinking expansion for next year, into a weed-filled green area of St. Joe's parking lot.

The school can't afford the $15,000 to place sod on the plot, but a load of gravel and benches should make it an inviting public spot.