YEAR
2010
FIELD NOTES REAL SCHOOL GARDENS AN ANNUAL REPORT
THRU
2011
THIS JOURNAL BELONGS TO:
PA G E
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
1
Letter from the Executive Director
3
About REAL School Gardens
4-5
Building Gardens
6-7
Training Educators
8-9
Growing Successful Students
10 - 11
Financial Statement
12
Awards and Achievements
13 - 15
Donors and Contributors
16
Partners
NOTES
R E A L S C H O O L G A R D E N S S TA F F
Jeanne McCarty, Executive Director
Nancy Payne, Garden Designer
Jeff Cross, Director of Finance and Operations
Eric Vanderbeck, Educator
Scott Feille, Program Director
Sarah Darley, Grants Manager
Matt Hackler, Director of Development
Shailin Makhani, Programming and Events Coordinator
Jennifer Fitzgerald, Director of Community Relations
Kendra Lemon, Program Assistant
Ellen Robinson, Educator
REAL SCHOOL GARDENS BOARD MEMBERS
Kelly Garrett, Chair (part year), Executive Director, Rainwater Foundation Frederick G. Thompson, Chair (part year), Principal, The Communications Collaborative, LLC Delaine Eastin, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Emerita Jeanne McCarty, Executive Director, REAL School Gardens Robert Menzi, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
PA G E
Letter from the Executive Director
1
take a peek at REAL learning. riends and Supporters of REAL School Gardens, Imagine these pages worn—smudged with dirt and wrinkled from the Texas heat. The corners are dog-eared, the pages thick with taped-in photos and plant specimens. Written in pencil, pen, crayon—whatever was at hand out in the research field—are notes, observations, even poetry. The markings fill the lines and spill into the margins, telling stories of nature, curiosity, and imagination, and if you listen closely, you will hear the sound of children learning coming from our gardens. As one principal recently put it, “The garden makes for the best science classroom and lab.” I couldn’t agree more. Students who have been in a REAL school garden know what a science journal is, and why it is important. They know that, despite its name, it documents more than scientific data. It holds observations of nature, reflections on experiences, and discoveries of the outside world. This is our science journal, documenting our eighth year at REAL School Gardens. Here we share observations from a year in which more than 40,000 students and 2,500 educators benefitted from real-world learning opportunities in REAL school gardens. Take a peek at our accomplishments, our milestones and the unique program we have built. After eight years and 74 school partners, we’re proud to report that over 90% of the outdoor classrooms we’ve helped to establish continue to spark learning in young minds. With the success of our model, we are looking for opportunities to bring REAL School Gardens to new locations in Texas and across the country. So, thumb through these pages and you’ll see students measuring perennial beds to bring area and perimeter to life. You’ll hear students debating the relative merits of the fungus, bacteria and invertebrates at work in their compost bins. You’ll feel their excitement as they grow their own food and make new friends. And you’ll learn about the lasting impacts of our program and why we must grow it. Go ahead—turn the page. Sincerely, Jeanne McCarty, Executive Director
PA G E
About REAL School Gardens
3
planting seeds for successful students Since 2003, REAL School Gardens has partnered with high-poverty elementary schools to create learning gardens that grow successful students. A program unlike any other in our field, we provide state-of-the-art outdoor classrooms along with a set of integrated services to help them thrive. Through a multi-year educator training program and active community engagement, we help our partner schools establish outdoor learning programs that last. “We tried creating a garden on our own, but were not successful,” one principal explained, “REAL School Gardens helps us make the garden a regular part of our curriculum.”
ROOTS:
STEM:
BLOSSOMS:
Design & Support
Educator Training
Successful Students
Because we are committed to
The hundreds of teachers
Through their experiences in
long-term sustainability, we
who we train annually tell
learning gardens, children
provide multi-year financial
us that our on-site, hands-
achieve :
support, community-driven
on instruction is practical,
garden design and installation,
enjoyable, and among the
• Greater gains in content knowledge and skills
year-round planting and
best they’ve ever received.
maintenance guidance, and
As a result, we ensure that
assistance in developing strong
teachers are equipped with
community partnerships.
the tools to provide
Our approach activates parent
engaging, real-world
involvement and community
learning opportunities for
investment on high-poverty
students as a regular part
elementary school campuses.
of their school day.
5
districts
74 schools
• A stronger connection to the natural world • A lifetime of healthy habits • Improved pro-social skills
2,600 40,000 stud
educator s
ents
PA G E
4
Building Gardens
creating spaces for hands-on learning Our learning gardens come to life with the active support of a diverse group of stakeholders, from teachers and principals to parents, neighbors and local businesses. While every REAL school garden includes standard features proven to spark learning across the curriculum, each school community helps design their learning garden so that it addresses the community’s unique needs and priorities.
Perennials
are chosen for their attract iveness to bir ds and butterflies, allowing for close study in natural h abit are planted w ats. Gardens that it h enough m ilkweed are cert ified as “Monarch Waystations, ” attract ing these butterflies on their way sou th in the fall and north in the spring.
Students literally get hands-on experience with the animals and insects that are attracted to their outdoor classrooms. These experiences take students’ understanding of life cycles, metamorphosis, and a host of other processes to a level not possible with a textbook alone.
N E W S C H O O L PA RT N E R S William Lipscomb Elementary School, Dallas ISD; Highland Meadows Elementary School, Dallas ISD; Ronald J. McNair Elementary School, Dallas ISD; Foster Elementary School, Arlington ISD; Harlean Beal Elementary School, Fort Worth ISD; Holiday Heights Elementary School, Birdville ISD
PA G E
Building Gardens
5
Experience handling and experimenting wit h rocks representing the different stages of the roc k cycle—sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic — provides students wit h a deeper understanding of geological processe s and features.
“I had no idea of how grand
this garden installation was
going to be. IT WAS SPECTACULAR,
and everyone I have talked to from
our groups really enjoyed seeing it all come together. I am hoping this will become an annual volunteer
event for us.” — Volunteer at garden installation
uga at Wata ne o is h t like pus focal Ponds y can become cam ies for nit tar Elemen g opportu t t he in d i ov pr ore abou points, learn m to ponents n e r ving com child i l p ire n o nd n also ins a g ds n n o vi P i l at. t ion and r habit et reflec i of a wate u q g durin students . writ ing journal
N E W S C H O O L PA RT N E R S Mike Moseley Elementary School, Grand Prairie ISD; Lida Hooe Elementary School, Dallas ISD; Travis Elementary School, Grand Prairie ISD; Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School, Grand Prairie ISD; Lorenzo de Zavala Elementary School, Grand Prairie ISD; Juan Seguin Elementary School, Grand Prairie ISD
PA G E
6
Training Educators
nurturing instruction that grows strong leaders REAL School Gardens’ research-based educator training program works because it addresses educators’ greatest needs. Our training emphasizes the importance of sensory observations, student-driven inquiry, and critical thinking skills across all subjects, with a focus on math and science. Interactive sessions in language arts, math, and science, that support the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), allow teachers to experience activities the way the students will experience them. As a result, children develop learning strategies for the long-term, helping them achieve far more than just passing scores on standardized tests.
Our partner schools receive : • A full-day, in-the-garden training for their faculties • T wo years of targeted training for their lead outdoor educators • On-the-job training with our staff educators • Consultation and support on an as-needed basis
put rea lly e v a h L of “You T MODE A E R s G r a Teacher . e b tog ethe hould ou ining] s a r t what y [ y w b ho d e e motivat ents ar d u are so t s d ou ng an a ll of y o are doi t s k an s.” ing. Th a ll of u r o f benefitt o d at you or for wh nistrat — Admi orth ISD Fort W
PA G E
Training Educators
EVALUATING OUR IMPACT : In 2010, REAL School Gardens undertook a rigorous evaluation with PEER Associates, Inc. to measure the effectiveness of our educator training program.
That assessment indicates : • O ur training improves teacher quality and effectiveness by increasing content knowledge and fostering confidence • Our training improves teacher morale • Our learning gardens are central to school culture and community • Our learning gardens are a key tool which teachers use to improve academic achievement
S IGNS O F I M PAC T :
trained in full-day workshops 226 teachers in their learning gardens teachers trained in on-the-job garden 337 integration visits educators asserted that our training % of is directly with state 86 curriculumaligned standards
88
%
of educators indicated they would apply the training to their own lessons right away of educators reported that teaching
90% outdoors energizes them as educators Fort Worth ISD educators supported through training and online lesson delivery
2,284
“Thanks for inspiring me to ‘think outside the box’ and not just hand
out worksheets.”
- Educator, Arlington ISD
7
PA G E
8
Growing Successful Students
Nurturing Success for the whole child At the heart of our work is a commitment to creating learning gardens that grow successful students. We believe that learning gardens can nurture success for the whole child.
MIND:
BODY:
SPIRIT:
An Engaged Mind
A Healthy Body
A Connection to others
In learning gardens,
Experience being physically
In our learning gardens,
children are invited to explore,
active and growing their
children work cooperatively,
formulating their own
own food in learning gardens
take responsibility and
questions and conducting
sets children on the path
practice empathy.
their own investigations.
to making informed and responsible decisions about
A Connection to their Environment
their health and fitness.
The next generation of environmental stewards and problem solvers are growing right now amid the rain barrels, organic plants and compost bins of learning gardens.
PA G E
Growing Successful Students
smart potatoes: Project-Based Learning
and
9
giving back
In February 2011, twelve partner schools took part in “Smart Potatoes,” a semester-long project that offers students the chance to grow healthy food in their school gardens, share their harvest with those in need within their own neighborhoods and take part in some rigorous scientific investigations along the way. Throughout the spring, as the plants inched their way above the soil, students worked alongside a botanist from the Botanical Research Institute of Texas to explore the potato from a nutritional, historical, and biological perspective.
400 POUNDS o f POTATOES D ONATED TO: United Baptist Church NEED West Refugee Services of Texas, Fort Worth Arlington Charities Travis A venue Baptist Church Christlife Church Presbyterian Night Shelter Mission Arlington “What we exper ienced [during our ha rvest] was more than I coul d have ever imagined. The “W OWS” and “YEAHS” and “H OLY COWS” were off the sc a les.” — Educator Fort Worth ISD
PA G E
10
Statement of Activities and Financial Position
financial position
for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 2011
REAL School Gardens’ total revenue for the year was $1.29 million. 77.0% of this total represented public support from foundations, 12.4% cash and in-kind donations from corporations, 3.7% gifts from individual donors and 6.9% from other sources. This year we continued to seek diversification in funding sources and delivered professional development for teachers to school districts and schools on a fee basis for the first time. Related program revenue totaled $37,857. Our expenses for the year totaled $1.26 million. $957,305 (76.2%) was invested in program services, including educator training and resources; design, installation and support of learning gardens; and community engagement.
DISTR I BUTION : Of All Expenses
DISTRIBUTION: Program services 76.2% Fundraising Management and General
14.1% 9.7%
Of Program Services
Learning Garden ng Design and Buildi Educator Training Community Engagement
41.4%
30.5%
28.1%
PA G E
11
Statement of Activities and Financial Position
REVENUE
T O TA L TEM PORARI LY UNR E ST RI CTED RESTRI CTED 2011 2010
AND OTHER SUPPORT
Contributions
$1,057,823
Interest income
$145,944 $1,203,767 $1,087,934
$3,345
$0
$3,345
$2,908
Rental income
$28,501
$0
$28,501
$44,084
Other income
$56,590
$0
$56,590
$521
Net assets released from restrictions: Satisfaction of program restrictions $74,768 ($74,768) -
-
TOTAL REVENUE, GAINS AND OTHER SUPPORT
1,221,027
$
71,176
$
1,292,203 $1,135,447
$
EXPENSES
T O TA L 2 011 2011 2010
Program services
$957,305
-
$957,305
$1,010,856
Management and general
$122,099
-
$122,099
$164,141
Fundraising
$177,883
- $177,883 $136,315
TOTAL EXPENSES
1,257,287
Net assets at beginning of year
484,823
Change In net assets
(36,260)
NET ASSETS
AT
END
OF
YEAR
448,563
$
- $8,324 $71,176
79,500
$
1,257,287
1,311,312
$493,147
$669,012
$34,916
($175,865)
528,063
$
493,147
$
PA G E
12
Awards and Achievements
GROWING INTO A NATIONAL LEADER tal En vironmen to ce vi r e S g andin Association n a Outst ic r e m A orth Education, N n (NAAEE) o ti a c u d E ental for En vironm d for tional Awar a N , ce la P d y Greening, it 2 n n u mm Co d n an Beautificatio a Beautiful Keep Americ
Educational ff a r G y Ra die 1st Place, Sa Beautiful as x e T p ee K , Award I nst itution ir er s in McNa y la P L F N d ste en, Ho arning gard le s l’ oo ch S Elementary First Lady in d e r tu a fe which was g t’s Move blo e L ’s a m a b O Michelle etropolitan M of y a W d e Unit e p recipient of o T nt to improv a r g t c a p im unity Dallas comm ath learning m d n a ce n ie sc
PA G E
Donors and Contributors
13
INVESTORS IN A STRONGER GENERATION We are grateful for the financial support of a diverse and growing community.
Leadership Supporters
Martha Hayes
Alcon Foundation
The Hersh Foundation
Organizations and Individuals
Tracy Hollis
Luke & Sarah Abraham
Cindy Johnson Bonnie & Randy Jones
Dr. David Aftandilian & Dr. Sarah Rose
Edna Kalson
Albertson’s LLC
Ruth Kinler
Alliance Data
John Langdon
Kim Andersen
Jeanne McCarty & Jason Hewitt
Anonymous
Blair & Bill McGroarty
Justin & Jordan Arnt
Susan Montgomery
Balcom Agency
Debra Morrow
Janet Barger
Whole Foods Market
Beverly & Calvin Payne
Sam Bauman
Suzy Peacock Friendship Circle
Karen Reynolds
Marlene Beatty
Kathryn Rosenthal
Gregory Blair
Sebastian Construction
Blooms Landcare
Michelle Schneider
Botanical Research Institute of Texas
The Boone Family Foundation Chesapeake Energy Corporation Chipotle Mexican Grill The Embrey Family Foundation Healthways, Inc. JPMorgan Chase Foundation The Medtronic Foundation Mercedes-Benz Financial Services NFL Players, Inc. Rainwater Charitable Foundation
Jessica & Todd Barr David & Bettye Bell Michael & Linda Bourland Arden Bucklin-Sporer Dr. Laura Carstensen Kathy Cash & Eric Vanderbeck Terry Chadsey Lance Cobb Leslie Cook Jeff Cross Sarah Darley Suzanne & Charles Davis Jane Dempster Anne & Eddie Dunlap Scott & Kelly Feille W.A. Grammer Richard Hartman
Lois Scott Dr. Jason Simus John Simus Sy & Sara Sohmer Kimberly Speairs Matthew & Jessi Rainwater Richard Rainwater Kathleen Rall Richard Rall Teton Science Schools Jean & Bill Tucker John Tucker Suzanne Tuttle Alison Wexler
Alana Branum Traci Buschner Eric Carlson Janet Chamberlain Pam Chamberlain Evelyn Chen Nancy Christiansen Ginger Ciminello Saundra Claunch Cold Springs Farm Jo Ann Collins The Colonial Country Club Charitable Fund of the Community Foundation of North Texas Communities Foundation of Texas Lori Como
PA G E
14
Donors and Contributors
Rosemary Costello
Kathleen Grady
Maree Lewis
Mr. & Mrs. James Coulter, Coulter 2006 Management Trust
Kelli Graham
Emily Lindrose
Bradley Cross
Melinda & John Gratwick
Shailin Makhani
Tanuja Gupta
Sarah Martin
Colynne Gutekunst
Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth McCarty
Darlene Hackler
Morgan & Angela McCarty
Matt Hackler
Dr. M. McDonald
Scott Hackler
Kathy McReynolds
Kevin Hageman
Robert Menzi
Melodee & Joe Halbach
Denise Merkle & Nelson Claytor
Sean Halbach
Melodie Minshew-Bourassa
Forrest Hancock
Lori Mischke
Pat & Tom Harrison
Mark & Katrina Moran
Elaina Hauk
Diana Morgan
Charles & Libby Hewitt
Helen & Mike Murphy
Kathrin & Stefan Huber
The Nancy Ruth Fund
Marlon Huezo
Eric Nelson
Johnson & Johnson Advanced Sterilization Products
Sandy Neumann
Rachel Feit & Todd Moye
Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation
James & Karen Felps
Deborah Johnston
Matthew Norton & Amanda Stone Norton
Manuel & Gretchen Ferreiro
Adam & Caroline Jones
Alyssa Ferrer
Thelma Jones
Jennifer Fitzgerald & Wesley Wright
Vanessa Jones
Dr. Elizabeth Flowers & Dr. Darren Middleton
Amber Keller
Marylou Cross Suzan Crouch Brian Darley Merrick & Lorraine Darley Ryan Darley Ross Darrow Caroline DeCoux Maribeth DeLorenzo & Eric Winslow Janice Dickson Lisa Dillman Pat Dorraj Michelle Duckworth Nathan Dungan & Susan Hawks Delaine Eastin Ernst & Young
Andrew Fort Fort Worth Audubon Society Barbara Friedman Laurie Fry Jeanine Gailey Lisa Gansky Guadalupe Garcia Kelly Garrett Claire Gauntlett Sarah Dabney Gillespie Elizabeth Gowan Eric & Vinita Gotting
Bruce Jordahl Kelly Killian Jamie Klump Cynthia Koop Laura Krinock & Aimee Germain Sharon Krinock Keith Kujath Dusty & Beatrice Kuykendall La Bella Living James Lawrence Christina Le Kendra Lemon Griffin Lenoir
Jan Nordstrom
Betsy Noullet JoAnne Olson James Pascoe Nancy Payne & Dale Boisso Ms. & Mr. Chrystin P. Pleasants Augustus & Colleen Porter Susan Pressley Rachel Pringle Kelly Quinn Walter & Lorraine Rainwater Donna Redmon Vicki Reed Lisa Rello Lisa Richardson Pamela Rimington Ellen & Michael Robinson Jeannie Robinson Rotary Club of Fort Worth East
PA G E
Donors and Contributors
Gabrielle Rubenstein-Babcock
Gifts in Kind
The Thomas M., Helen McKee & John P. Ryan Foundation
Arborilogical Tree Service
Safeway, Inc. Amanda & Greg Sauer Dan Settle Susan Shaffer Sanu Shanmugam Cheryl Sherman Laura Sherr Darby Shestko Andrew & Sabina Stern
Blue Mesa Grill Bonnie Plants The Brickman Group Tammy Chan Chef Pointe Cafe Chik-fil-A, South Carrier Parkway, Grand Prairie City of Grand Prairie Parks and Recreation Department
Rochelle Stone
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Ashley Taylor
Deloitte Consulting LLP
Team Builders Plus
Dimensions Educational Research Foundation
Beverly Thomas Frederick G. Thompson Lisa Trammell Tom Turner Amy Vaerewyck Barbara Varley David Vick Volunteer Center of North Texas Dr. Margaret Walls Michael Warren Linda Watts Watauga Elementary School Faculty & Staff Anne Wells John Whitley Jo Ann Whitman Dr. Keith Whitworth Debbie Wilson Mr. & Mrs. Larry Wright Patricia Yungclas Kenneth Yunger
15
Sunbelt Rentals, Beach Street, Fort Worth Sunbelt Rentals, Bryant Irvin Street, Fort Worth Target, Fort Worth Central Texas Christian University Water Gardens Galore Whole Foods Market, Highland Park Jessy Wright Wesley Wright Z’s Cafe
Vickie & Roy Geer GRACE Restaurant Harvest Supply Horton Tree Service Monterey Gourmet Foods NASCAR Panera Bread, University Avenue, Fort Worth Philip Combs Design, Inc. Radius Tools Redenta’s Garden Ridgemont Commercial Construction Starbucks Montgomery Plaza, Fort Worth Starbucks Houston Street, Fort Worth
a ll essed with r p im o s “I am the and with e on d g in that is be ota l’ eemingly ‘t s d n a ic t energ e nities.” hool commu c s of t n e involvem — Donor to l Gardens REAL Schoo
PA G E
16
Partners
sweat equity and a common goal Together with REAL School Gardens, volunteers invest meaningfully in their communities, non-profit organizations engage in complementary work, and community groups gain momentum for positive change.
Collin County Community College
Texas Christian University, including Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latina Sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, Kappa Lambda Delta Sorority, Lambda Theta Alpha Sorority, Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Sigma Lambda Alpha Sorority and TCU LEAPS
Dallas Independent School District
RainScholars
Dallas Master Gardeners
Solar Wind Technologies, LLC
Arlington Independent School District Birdville Independent School District Botanical Research Institute of Texas Brookhaven Community College City of Grand Prairie
Eastfield College Upward Bound Fort Worth Independent School District Grand Prairie Independent School District Keep Grand Prairie Beautiful North Texas Food Bank
Tarrant County Master Composters University of Texas at Arlington University of Texas at Dallas, including Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority
Tarrant County Community College
Villegas Landscaping
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Volunteer Center of North Texas
ACORNS ADVISORY BOARD NORTH TEXAS
Nancy Burleson
Walter Rainwater
Teacher, Watauga Elementary School
Rachel Feit
Community Volunteer & Board Member, Rainwater Charitable Foundation
Parent & Community Volunteer
Deborah Roszek
Andrea Harper
Community Volunteer
Principal, T.A. Sims Elementary School
Amanda Stone Norton
Tracy Hollis
Director, Teacher Learning Center, Botanical Research Institute of Texas
NSEC Facilitator, Grand Prairie Independent School District
Ruth Kinler Owner, Redenta’s Garden
Dana Tarter Director, Tarrant County Extension Office
NOTES:
h e l p us g r o w .
ting e xci w s ne
we have moved !
1700 university drive suite 260 fort worth, texas 76107 phone
: 817.348.8102
fa x
: 817.348.8680
REALschoolgardens.org