The St. Helens students had the opportunity to experience a Harvest Fest on October 16th. A celebration of the garden, an opportunity for members of the Lower Columbia School Gardens and St. Helen’s parents to teach students how to prepare food, music, games and a really great time.
Click the image to go to the schools website to see more images.
Check out this short video from KATU featuring our very own Ian Thompson:
“Wednesday, Sept. 12 was the annual United Way “Day of Caring” and volunteers from Norpac spent the day with our students in the school garden. Activities included painting more signs for the garden, spreading mulch, and making tasty snacks from plants and vegetables. It has been a wonderful experience for the volunteers and students. Thanks goes to Ian Thompson for coordinating the day and working with volunteers on the project.”
Click the image to go to the St. Helens School website and to see more pictures.
“Most any Thursday afternoon you will find us in our garden. Advised by Mr. Smith and the expertise of Mr. Ian Thompson, we have a pretty good garden! We’ve had the garden for a couple of years and this time of the year we get to harvest the ‘fruits of our labor.'”
Click the image to go to the Monticello School website and to see more pictures.
Kids teamed up with a local restaurant to provide the meal; heath agencies dished on school gardens, healthy eating at school and at home. If you weren’t able to attend the Healthy Child Growing Mind workshop at Northlake in September, check out the Daily News article with some great photos and back story on Lower Columbia School Gardens. http://tdn.com/lifestyles/article_77dc1e02-ec99-11e0-8847-001cc4c002e0.html
Did you know that Mint Valley has a Student Leadership Council? This team of students, along with some VERY passionate and dedicated teachers and families, have helped plan the garden at Mint Valley Elementary. Longview School District quickly approved the plan so we are cleared for takeoff! As soon as some money comes in, construction will begin, starting with the fence. We have applied for a few grants and are waiting to hear back. This garden will be unique in that all the raised beds will be placed directly on existing pavement – no muddy feet makes for happy custodians!
So much has happened in 2011! It’s hard to believe it all took place in about 8 months. Made possible by major grants from the Cowlitz Fund and Lowe’s, generous donations from local families and businesses, and LOTS of hard work by adults and kids alike. Here are a few of my favorite St Helens moments:
Kyle and Mikail said “You HAVE to tell the other kids that we helped build this shed when school starts, because they’ll NEVER believe us!”
Squaring up the shed floor with Parks and Rec Summer crew.
