Students called it a beautifully messy scene in the garden at Oakley Elementary School recently! The after-school Garden Club spent an afternoon protecting their raised beds against the cold and snow of winter. Students planted tulip and daffodil bulbs, mulched, and prepped their vegetable beds for planting in the spring.
“It makes me very happy,” said kindergarten teacher Amelia Rubin. “It reminds me how happy I felt gardening as a kid. I’m glad that we get to do it together.”Rubin runs the after-school club. She said she’s always wanted to teach, and she also has a passion for gardening and the environment.“This is a great way to bring it together,” she said.
The students will decide in the spring which vegetables they want to plant. Ms. Rubin said the kids are leaning towards cucumbers, tomatoes, and pumpkins! Parent volunteer Suzi Palladino helps run the club. She hopes her daughter is able to better connect to her food and the environment by participating in club activities.
“Putting anything in the ground then months later seeing that it’s grown creates such an element of excitement and enthusiasm,” Ms. Palladino said. “I think it's just building that awareness of how food is grown- understanding the energy, effort, and time that goes into the process.”
Ms. Rubin says not only do the students harvest tasty vegetables, but they also build important life skills such as cooperation, teamwork, and a connection to their community and the world around them.
“I think it’s really important for kids to connect with their food and know where it comes from,” she said. “One, so they can take care of themselves, and two, take care of our community in the future.”
By connecting students with their food and teaching them to be responsible citizens, good stewards, and good learners, Oakley’s Garden Club enriches the whole educational experience!
