School/Community Garden

We would like to continue to build on our environmental initiatives to help support our goal of becoming an Eco-School that will involve students, teachers, parents and our community. We would like to provide our students and broader school community opportunities to become more environmentally aware by developing a school/community garden. It is our belief that a school/ community garden can provide a wealth of opportunities for our students to engage in hands on activities while integrating different areas of the curriculum like science and language.

Our ultimate goal is to teach personal and social responsibility by utilizing a part of our schoolyard as a classroom to reconnect students with nature and to foster a relationship between students and their food. Gaining knowledge of and respect for whole nutritious food will impact the health and future of our community in a positive manner for years to come.

Update (May 11, 2016)

The garden has been prepared-it has been built, and the bed has been filled with triple mix soil. Our scheduled date for planting has been postponed due to the weather. The plants have been purchased and classes are caring for them until the weather improves for planting. We are looking at the May 2/4 weekend to begin planting.

Update (June 2, 2016)

Garden has been planted.

Update (June 15, 2016)

Our garden in the front of our school has spurred a lot of interest among students and the community. Many classes participated in the planting of the garden and have been stopping by to check on it.

Students have been taking turns caring for the garden by watering it, and telling others about it. After school, students can be seen talking to other students about respecting the garden. Some students have expressed interest that they would like to tend the garden in the summer.

The garden has inspired community members to create another garden in an enclosed area behind the school. This in turn has inspired other grades to take different sections to plant in for next year.

Currently we have a school-wide naming contest. Four names have been narrowed down and the vote will take place next week.

Most exciting is the fact that the garden has sparked discussion between parents, community members, volunteers, teachers and students. We have discovered new things about each other and through communicating about the garden, which in turn helps foster a sense of community and respect for each other. Although some of our plants are being consumed by squirrels, we are thrilled that the garden is bringing people together and it is spurring discussion.

Thank you imagineaction for your support!