Our A+ Award goes to a group of about a dozen students who planted vegetables and herbs and cared for a garden during the summer. The students at Summit Academy School for Alternative Learners - Warren Middle and Secondary - then sold the food at the Warren Farmer’s market.
Science teacher Sarah Thomas came up with the garden project last year as a way for the students to receive a hands-on lesson in science and to enjoy the benefits of gardening and eating healthy.
Warren is considered a “food desert,” which means that many people don’t have access to fresh food. Thomas feels it’s important to reconnect her students with fresh, healthy foods, reconnect them with nature and teach them skills that they can use later on in life.
The students certainly got their hands in the dirt: They grew plants, including pumpkins, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, watermelon, sage and basil. There are too many to list!
Tenth grader Gabriel Bell said his favorite thing to grow was the garlic. Bell said he likes the smell of garlic!
The students sold a lot of the food they grew at the Warren Farmer’s Market. Tenth grader MacKenzie VanDyke also sold pots that she painted with cool characters on them. VanDyke said she “loves expressing herself through art in different ways." Merging art with the gardening project was an obvious choice!
In all: The students planted and cared for a traditional garden, five raised beds and a pollinator garden on the grounds of their school. It was a peaceful way to spend the summer outside, especially during a pandemic. They also took yoga classes at the garden. Namaste!
Great job to our gardeners at Summit Academy School for Alternative Learners - Warren Middle and Secondary School. We’re proud to award you with this week’s A+ Award for your green thumbs!
Submit your ideas for our NewsDepth A+ segment to newsdepth@ideastream.org for consideration.
