Schools In Bloom Competition

The National Communities in Bloom (CiB) program slogan, “People, Plants, and Pride…Growing Together”, promotes participation of all age groups throughout the community. Chatham-Kent CiB annually invites all elementary and secondary schools to participate in a local ‘Schools in Bloom’ competition. It is designed to encourage and create more vibrant school communities and environments. With generous local business support the Chatham-Kent CiB committee is able to provide a variety of awesome products and services as prize incentives with which to even further beautify their schoolyards.

Schools entering the local competition are not only rewarded with gift certificates to enhance their school properties in June, but they also later receive trees the following school year for fall planting. Thanks to the overwhelming support of our community, Chatham-Kent Schools in Bloom is always able to recognize the top participants’ exceptional efforts.

The following Chatham-Kent businesses deserve to be recognized for their generous donations to the Schools in Bloom winners over the years:
All Season’s Nursery and Flowers, Wallaceburg
Downtown Chatham Centre, Chatham
Heritage Gardens and Nursery Station, Chatham
IVCO Tree Farms Nursery and Garden Centre, Tilbury
Keil Drive Home Hardware Building Centre, Chatham
Ken Nentwig, Landscape Architect
Kentwood Gardens, Dresden
Sherry’s Perennials, Cedar Springs
Wheatley Woods Native Plant Nursery & Garden Centre, Wheatley

Schools entering the competition must submit a written portion as well as supporting material on their efforts in the 5 criteria:
1) Clean up & Tidiness Effort
2) Environmental Awareness
3) Student & Community Involvement
4) Schoolyard Greening & Gardening
5) Curriculum Integration of Outdoor Spaces

Schools are encouraged to collect information throughout the school year on activities pertaining to these 5 criteria. See the CK Schools in Bloom application for details.

When the National Communities in Bloom judges arrive mid-summer to judge the entire Municipality on its beautification, community involvement, environmental awareness and heritage conservation efforts, the CiB committee will proudly relay the many incredible school initiatives revealed through this year’s Schools in Bloom competition. The judges will be impressed how much “People, Plants and Pride are Growing Together” in the schools of Chatham-Kent!

Deadline for the present school year’s Chatham-Kent Schools in Bloom contest submissions will be mid-May.

For additional information please phone Chatham-Kent Communities in Bloom at 519.360.1998 or E-mail CKpch@chatham-kent.ca.