Over the 2010-11 school year, Debbie and I got together with some other interested parents and teachers and started up a small container garden. The pre-K classes got to germinate seeds, then when the seedlings were large enough we had a planting day outside. It was really cute to watch them each having a hand in the livelihood of those little plants. One of our moms took the containers home to care for over the Summer, and then brought them back to school in the Fall. The children got to harvest beets, onions, purple dragon carrots, pole beans, etc. and even tasted and cooked with some of the bounty in the classroom.
Burr began the 2011-12 school year with a new principal, Mr. Klee. Mr. Klee has been very interested and supportive of Burr's green efforts and gave the go-ahead for our garden committee to apply for grants and begin plans to expand the fledgeling garden. Burr was selected by The Kitchen Community for a grant and partnership to begin a full scale learning garden! We are proud to have been one of only 6 schools chosen for this pilot gardening program in Chicago. Next year the Kitchen Community and CPS are working together to try expanding the program to include 60-100 schools!
After many planning meetings, Burr's brand new learning garden was installed this month. The installation involved each and every student and made use of every hand, no matter how large or small. By taking a direct part in its creation, we hope Burr students can feel a sense of pride and ownership toward their new outdoor classroom. See below for pictures and video of the planter installation and then from planting day!
