Courtland Public School is recognizing Remembrance Day not just on November 11th, but for the entire month of November, by recreating Flanders Fields. Each school day a group of students place 30 handmade poppies on the front lawn of the school, while another group of students collects them before the end of the day.

The poppies are made by a staff member’s father who has volunteered his time and money to make these symbolic reminders of respect and thanks.

The idea first started when Courtland’s Principal, Mr. Brown, was at William G. Davis Public School. “In October, we celebrate and decorate our houses for Halloween, then late-November, early December we decorate our houses for the holiday season. I just thought it would be a great idea to honour the veterans who died for our freedom by decorating our homes with poppies for the month of November.”

Because of the warm response Mr. Brown received from veterans and community members driving by William G. Davis, he wanted to share this with his new school and its surrounding community.

“We’re hoping this initiative catches on and if our neighbours were to put poppies on their lawns, then for the month of November the entire province could look like Flanders Field.”

 

Courtland PS decorates their front lawn with handmade poppies. (Photo from @CourtlandPS)

Courtland PS decorates their front lawn with handmade poppies. (Photo from @CourtlandPS)