A few weeks back, over 60 volunteers from Google (yes, Google!) in partnership with Citizens Committee for New York City and Grow to Learn NYC came out to 373K to help with a major garden expansion project. Not only did they stay until the greenhouse was completed, but alongside the students, they helped transform a segment of the old parking lot from asphalt and gravel to brand new garden space. Thank you, Ms. Maura Flanagan and all of the volunteers and students who participated in the day.
What an amazing spring it has been! There is so much PLG news to catch up on… Let’s start with a small garden in Brooklyn that made it to the local news:
Congratulations to 53K for their amazing garden ribbon cutting celebration last week. The school won a $5,000 grant from the Budding Botanists Organization to build and maintain an edible school garden. 53K was one of seven schools nationwide to win the award, and the only school in New York to do so. Students sang songs, delivered speeches, and took invited guests on a tour of their garden. In addition to City Councilman Carlos Menchaca being at the ceremony, local news covered the event with a segment found here. Thank you to Teachers Chris McKeon and Nicole Aniello, and Principal Heather Leykam for their dedication in making the school garden a reality!
More news to come!
Here is the press release and a photo of the 811X students with their “big check” from Apples4Ed. Paula Lucas and Sandy Helms, who run the school’s greenmarket, wrote the grant to start the “Be Healthy, Snack Smart” program. Congrats, 811X on your latest healthy eating venture!
Here is a photo of Greg at 811X this morning, helping to prepare for the Healthy Snack Program kickoff. The school was awarded a BIG check from Apples4ed to get the program started. More photos to come!
Congratulations to 370K’s Margaret Negrelli for being awarded New York Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher of the Year! To read more about her work with the Garden Gladiators and Zero Waste Warriors at the Jim Thorpe School, check out the article here.
What is happening in your school garden? What are you planting? What are you cooking? How are you composting? What workshops are you going to? Send us an update about your garden with a photo or two and we will share it here! Don’t forget to check the Grow to Learn NYC calendar for upcoming events like seed, seedling, and insect giveaways- and much more.
Last Friday, we had a full day PD for teachers- all about composting! Here are some photos of Greg, our in-house Master Composter, leading the group at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden . Many thanks to BBG and the Master Composters for having us!
Check out this new film that profiles two of our PLG schools and their incredible stories. Here is the link to the film and a short blurb about it. Enjoy!
Plant, Learn, Grow is a profile of two schools in New York City located in “Food Deserts,” areas where it is difficult to find fresh, healthy produce. One school is located in the South Bronx, and one school in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The students deal with more than lack of healthy food. They are challenged with intellectual, communication, and emotional issues. This is the story of the gardens they built, the food they grew, and the impact this rich harvest had on the students and their communities.
Last week, 811X held a two day Garden Event that included every class in the school. Students planted, watered, sifted compost, constructed hydroponic systems, designed signs, and created paintings and poetry inspired by nature. Outdoor classrooms were set-up for painting and arts, and musical performances had everyone dancing. For two days, the horticulture team turned the school into an interactive and fun outdoor learning space. It was awesome!
Congratulations to the 811X Horticulture team for their workshop on “Seed Harvesting in the Classroom” presented at the City Grower’s Education Conference on Saturday, February 27. They led an incredible workshop and represented D75 and Plant Learn Grow to the fullest!
D75 Plant Learn Grow 