Have you seen the garden beds around the school? We are off to a great start to bring fresh, organic food into school and help students learn the joy of donating to food pantries.

The PTA garden efforts were expanded this fall, helped by receiving a Voots “Get Kids Growing” grant which included a vegetable bed and growing light, currently being used in the kindergarten. Thanks to Eileen Wallwork for her grant writing!

Michelle Walsh, parent volunteer extraordinaire, brought grades pre-k to 4 outside to learn about plant development, nutrition, and giving back to the community. She helped each grade plant a crop:

pre-k: spinach
K: peas
1: fall broccoli raab
2: peas
3: carrots (hopefully to donate to the Pettengill House Thanksgiving baskets)
4: fall broccoli raab

Grades five and six will plant spring bulbs shortly. Next week some students will harvest green beans, zucchini, and yellow squash. There are some dreams of having cold frames to keep the gardens growing as long into the colder weather as possible.

Some parent volunteers are needed to help maintain the garden program. Please email Michelle Walsh at mwalsh9@msn.com if you are interested or have questions about the gardening efforts.