(DIEPPE, NB) – After four weeks of voting by Canadians from coast to coast, Nashwaak Valley School in Durham Bridge, NB will have the chance to bring its outdoor learning space to life as the winner of the 2014 MAJESTA Trees of Knowledge competition. As the school to receive the most votes, Nashwaak Valley has won a $20,000 outdoor classroom from MAJESTA, along with expert consultation from Tree Canada and outdoor learning curriculum support from Focus on Forests. 

“Congratulations to Nashwaak Valley School for being chosen by Canadians as the winner of the MAJESTA Trees of Knowledge competition,” says Jim Schedler, Vice President of Marketing for MAJESTA. “This competition wouldn’t be what it is without all the hard work and participation of the finalist schools and we want to thank every teacher, student and parent who took part. We also want to thank Canadians from across the country for coming together to help these schools realize their dream of taking learning outdoors.”

Opening in November 2014, Nashwaak Valley’s new outdoor classroom will provide multiple learning opportunities with a covered seating area with a chalkboard, as well as a presentation circle, weather centre and music station to encourage creativity outdoors. The classroom will provide opportunities for all students to learn and create in a natural environment. The goal of the new space is to enhance the existing school grounds and allow students and the community to explore nature together, making it a great representation of 21st century learning.

Nashwaak Valley School kicked-off the MAJESTA Trees of Knowledge journey with a celebration event where staff and students built their own ‘tree of knowledge’ and Kirk Macdonald, MLA, cast the first vote for the school. The school rallied support by creating their own mascot and getting out into the community to encourage voting at local grocery stores, farmer’s markets, malls, home shows and even City Hall. The school also partnered with local businesses and supporters to be included in newsletters, advertising and posters throughout the community. 

"Our motto was the little school that knew it could and we were ecstatic to receive the news that our small school won the MAJESTA Trees of Knowledge,” said Jacqueline Firlotte, Principal, Nashwaak Valley School. “It’s an amazing feeling knowing our school's vision will become a reality and that our goal of obtaining an outdoor classroom will be fulfilled. We are thankful to the Nashwaak Valley community who synergized and energized to obtain our common goal of winning first place. We also want to thank MAJESTA for this awesome experience.”

Watch the Nashwaak Valley School video submission as part of its winning effort in the competition. 

Other top finalists include Glashan Public School from Ottawa, ON ($5,000), David Suzuki Secondary School from Brampton, ON ($3,000) and École Alternative Le Baluchon de Laval from Laval, Quebec ($2,000). Glashan Public School was also the winner of the Most Creative Idea Award ($3,000).   

School submissions for the next MAJESTA Trees of Knowledge competition will open in early September. More information can be found at www.majestatreesofknowledge.ca.

About MAJESTA:

MAJESTA, the soft and green choice for household paper products, offers an innovative line of e•z flush bathroom tissue that provides the perfect balance of softness and flushability. MAJESTA e•z flush breaks down quickly in water, making it ideal for homes with low flow and dual flush toilets. Learn more at www.majesta.com.

MAJESTA products are made from trees from J.D. Irving, Limited’s forests. As part of its award-winning commitment to responsible forest management, J.D. Irving, Limited plants seedlings every spring and summer to reforest the woodlands. In the past 50+ years, J.D. Irving, Limited has planted more than 940 million trees. Since 2001, J.D. Irving, Limited’s forests have been certified by The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (“SFI”). In the U.S., the company’s forests are also certified under the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC® C041515). Part of the J.D. Irving Group of Companies, a family business in operation for more than 132 years, MAJESTA’s head office is located in Dieppe, New Brunswick.

The MAJESTA promise: We plant three trees for every one we use to produce MAJESTA products. Both soft and green, MAJESTA delivers the softness you can feel and feel good about.

About Tree Canada:
Tree Canada is a not-for-profit, charitable organization established in 1992. Under the direction of an 11-member volunteer Board of Directors, Tree Canada provides education, technical assistance, resources and financial support through working partnerships to encourage Canadians to plant and care for trees in rural and urban areas.

About Focus on Forests:
Focus on Forests provides hands-on activities and support materials to assist teachers of all grade levels. The lesson plans are well organized and designed to be easily adapted to any teaching environment or grade level. Focus on Forests is a program of the Ontario Forestry Association. Together with Tree Canada, these two groups have combined their efforts to bring this forest education program to a Canada-wide audience and highlight the value that Focus on Forests plays in introducing forests to Canadian classrooms. This exciting new partnership is supported by Irving Consumer Products, the makers of MAJESTA household paper products.