Elementary students cultivate skills in school garden
Third graders at Sibley Elementary transplant mint plants.
Photo courtesy of Grady’s Garden
Third graders at Sibley Elementary, in collaboration with Grady's Garden, dug into the gardening season this week by cleaning up the school's raised beds, located at 943 Sibley St. NW. The garden clean-up event brought together Sibley Elementary students, educators, and volunteers from Grady's Garden to prepare the school garden beds for planting. The activity taught students about gardening techniques, environmental stewardship, and the importance of fresh, locally-grown produce.
Grady's Garden is a food and nutrition, "edutainment" and technology company. Net proceeds from its salsas and pasta sauce sales support Grady's Classroom, its nonprofit outreach program. Grady's Classroom programming educates elementary-aged kids about healthy lifestyles and the importance of eating and growing vegetables through family and community gardening.
"Engaging students in garden-based learning fosters a deeper connection to nature and promotes healthier eating habits and more active lifestyles," said Roselyn Charles-Maher, Principal, Sibley Elementary. "We are thrilled to collaborate with Grady's Garden to create this enriching experience for our students."
The annual clean-up event, now in its third year, included clearing garden plots, pulling weeds, and laying fresh soil in the raised garden beds to prepare for seed planting, which students will do later this month.
"We believe in the transformative power of garden education," said Mike Wheeler, Co-founder of Grady's Garden and Grady's Classroom. "By involving children in the activity of growing food, we hope to inspire lifelong habits that promote health and sustainability."
The garden clean-up aligns with Sibley's commitment to holistic education and community engagement. It offers students an opportunity to apply classroom learning to real-world scenarios, fostering skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and environmental awareness.
Alex, a third grader at Sibley Elementary, is an enthusiastic gardener who has participated in the school's garden project for over a year.
"I love gardening because it allows you to grow food naturally," said Alex. "Strawberries are my favorite."
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