Colette Daelick is taking care of several tobacco plants at home. (Facebook/Wesmor Public High School)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Growing on

Local teacher continues with project despite closing of schools

Apr 8, 2020 | 2:03 PM

A teacher at Wesmor Public High School is not letting COVID-19 stop a school project.

Colette Daelick, who also acts as a facilitator for Following their Voices, is currently caring for a number of tobacco plants at her home.

“They sit on what is now my desk at home, which is my dining room table,” she said.

To make sure the plants get enough light and heat, Daelick was able to borrow a grow light from the school’s science teacher.

Daelick’s students planted the tobacco as part of her Native Studies 10 class. She explained the planting and growing of the plants aims to teach students about protocol. The tobacco grown is also presented to elders and knowledge keepers who come to visit the school.

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The high school teacher said in past years the project has proven to be a popular one with students. Daelick said the kids are generally shocked by how quick the plants grow over only a few months.

“My students come back to see them and they’re like ‘oh my goodness, is that my plant?’” she said.

Staff and students are being kept up to date on the growth of the plants via social media as Daelick is posting pictures on the school’s Facebook page. Daelick added the plants are doing well and a fellow staff member commented to her that is this year’s plants are looking like the best crop yet.

“It looks like they’re all surviving because they have 24 hours a day [of] care,” she said.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn