Maple Grove School Garden School Garden Meeting Agenda
Introduction (Liz Renneker School Garden Co-chair) Mission & Vision What has been done to date? Benefits Jeffco School Gardens (Emily OWinter District Healthy Schools Coordinator) Why School Gardens? History of Gardens in Jeffco Typical progression of a garden Question and Answers about school gardens Jeffco Garden Curriculum Financial Support Requirements (Liz Renneker) Funding Requirements Construction Plan School Garden Mission Our mission is to work together as a schoolcommunity to provide experiential learningthat will enrich and support our academiccurriculum while promoting healthy livingand teaching life long skills. School Garden Vision Building a successful garden will give Maple Grove: Multiple raised beds filled with produce, herbs, and flowers An outdoor extension of the classroom as teachers and students will utilize the space toenrich and provide hands on learning in all subject curriculum. An opportunity for children to harvest food from the garden to enjoy in recipes andcafeteria salad bar Teach children where food originates and provide life long health habits to combat ournations obesity epidemic After school garden clubs to expand learning in the garden Farmers Market to teach economics, marketing, sustainability Potential for increased parent engagement School Garden Vision Students will be involved in the planning Students and teachers will be excited at the opportunity to takelearning outside, breathe in fresh air, and observe life in thegarden Students will learn to appreciate nature, dig in the dirt, witnessscience before their own eyes Evolve into indoor growers inside the classroom- seed starters,small greenhouses Steps taken thus far: March 2014 April 2014
School garden proposal was introduced to the PTA board and Mr. Stone The PTA Board reviewed it and decided to go forward with the project Meetings held with representatives from Mitchell and Prospect Valley to learn more about theirschool gardens. Various school gardens were toured in person April 2014 Meeting with Emily OWinter, Jeffco Healthy Schools Coordinator to learn about Jeffcos schoolgarden guidelines and programs District paperwork was started Meeting with Patti Fields, Maple Grove Facilities Manager considering logistics Committee meeting including Mr. Stone, Mrs. Ramaker (teacher representative), and parents todiscuss site locations and fundraising/sponsorships Attended the School Garden Summit to learn more about starting and sustaining gardens inJeffCo. Respresentatives at the conference included Emily OWinter, Whole Foods KidsFoundation, Slow Food Denver, Denver Urban Gardens May 2014 Met with a local gardener to discuss location, layout, and budget ofcontracting design and layout. Services are very pricey so it was decided that we willlook harder for a community member willing and able to help. List of businesses to approach for support formed. June 2014 Multiple grant applications written and submitted. Application for Whole Foods Bag Donation program submitted and awarded! Shop Whole Foods Colfax, bring your reusable bags, and donate the bag credit to ourgarden! Denver Public Schools with gardens
Over 80 schools in DPShave school gardens DPS food safety protocolfor garden to cafeteria isnow a national model A look at area school gardens
Mitchell School Garden, Golden, CO Photo credit: Denver Urban Gardens School Gardens Impact on Academic Performance
Boost Science achievement scores - Science educators have long recognized the valueof school gardens in motivating students to study science. Recent studies show thatschool gardening programs also boost students scores on science achievement tests(Klemmer, Waliczek, Zajicek, 2005). Develops critical thinking A study of 3rd and 4th graders involved in a school gardenprogram supports students inquiry, connection to natural world and engages students inprocess of formulating meaningful questions (Habib & Doherty, 2007). Expands experiential learning - Students involved with school gardens generally takepleasure in learning and show positive attitudes towards education (Canaris, 1995; Dirks& Orvis, 2005). Benefits of a School Garden
Build a sense of community Observe small seeds turn into food Instill appreciation and respect for nature that lastsinto adulthood Improve social skills and behavior Students who participate in school gardens reporteating healthier snacks Students who garden are more likely to eat fruits andvegetables Students tend to learn more and better when they areactively involved in the learning process Jeffco School Gardens Emily OWinter: District
Healthy Schools Coordinator Jeffco School Gardens Why School Gardens? School Climate and Culture
Parent Involvement Enhanced Instructional Opportunities Understanding of food systems Increased consumption of fruits andveggies Increased likelihood of lifetime gardening Decreased sedentary time Jeffco School Gardens History of Gardens in Jeffco
33 School Gardens in Jeffco (3 are greenhouses) Partners: Slow Food Denver Denver Urban Gardens Jefferson County Public Health CSU Extension Office Garden to Cafeteria Garden Curriculum Jeffco School Gardens Typical progression of a garden Build out: yr 1
Programing: yrs 1+ Classroom use: yrs 2+ Jeffco School Gardens Typical Questions and Answers Funding
Programming Summer maintenance Vandalism Excess Produce? Classroom Use Gardening can bring any aspect of the curriculum to life
We have such a wonderful opportunity to bring a school garden to Maple Grove! Supporting and Enriching Curriculum
Research shows that project based learning improves understanding and depth of knowledge, is essential for cross-curricular learning and 21st Centaury Skills Jeffco School Garden Curriculum makes it manageable for teachers to utilize All subject matter: science, literature, social studies, history, math, health and nutrition School Garden Construction Cost Estimate
(% By Category) NOTE: Overall % cost of categories marked with a (*) could be reduced if volunteer labor is used vs. a contractor. Data Source: Jeffco School Gardens https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-lImZd4_JUcalZkaWd6cGFHVFU/edit How do we make this successful?
FUNDING Reach out to community connections: Donation of skill, time, material In-Kind Donations from local businesses: monetary or materials; names to be listed on agarden sign Grants PTA Support How do we make this successful?
Community and staff educated and interest verified Tiered approach: different ideas to be discussed The non negotiable items mandated by the district and starting small with a limitednumber of beds in the space, smaller storage shed, as examples Intro students with teachers that are on board with utilizing the garden and enrichingtheir curriculum and experiences Certain grade levels trial the garden Before and after school activities: potentially volunteer run, bring in after schoolproviders to run a unit, different classes offered individually or as part of a garden club Exit plan: If this should not take off after 2-3 years we will have a plan in place todonate or sell salvageable material, bulldoze, and resod area Moving Forward -Presentation to teachers and staff regarding curriculum and addressing their potential concerns will happen next week with Jeffco Healthy Schools coordinator -PTA proposed amount will be modified and voted on at the October 8th meeting -Garden committee will meet to discuss futher fundraising/ gathering sponsors and donations from local businesses -People can volunteer for a small or larger role in this project -Construction will begin and a tiered approach will be formulated