8 the trinity voice / spring 2016
In the shadows of the skyscrapers in Uptown Charlotte, a revolution fueled by dirt and community is afoot...
For the past two years, our gardening program has gone through a revitalization, building on the initial groundwork laid out by the founding families of Trinity with our goal being that every student plants on campus every year. We have been intentional with connecting the curriculum of each grade level with its tasks in the garden and have found that giving certain grade levels
The 8th Street Friendship Garden The 8th Street Friendship Garden is a partnership between Trinity and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Our harvest total in 2015 was just over 1,400 pounds of food donated to Friendship Trays.
Founding parent Nancy Duncan still gives great direction in the garden and helps keep us growing 365 days a year. The involvement of the entire school, Kindergarten through 8th Grade, has made this donation to others in our community possible.
THE
GARDEN
REVOLUTION responsibility has created ownership within the three gardens on our campus (8th Street Friendship Garden, Earth Quilt and the 5th grade raised bed garden). More than ownership, however, these gardens have grown a richer community among our students, from Kindergarten to 8th grade.
Sean Casey Middle School Science Teacher Wildcat Since 2013 Margaret Rudisill Middle School Science Teacher Wildcat Since 2007
Here’s a peek into some of our gardening work this year...
8th Street is our largest garden and consequently sees the most activity throughout the year. In the fall, 3rd graders and their homeless friends from Urban Ministries helped the garden tremendously by doing the tedious job of picking leaves off the sweet potato vines, a culinary delicacy that is special to Friendship Trays. Kindergarteners and 8th graders followed this work by planting Irish potatoes in late February, and we are hoping for a great harvest in early June.
Meanwhile, the 1st graders planted peas in the raised beds as they told the story of the Princess and the Pea from their Fairy Tale plays. The 1st grade will also continue the tradition of their annual plant sale in May, which not only teaches students to care for plants from seed to seedling, but also reinforces math skills and allows them a partnership with middle school. Proceeds from the sale will benefit an organization of the 1st grade’s choice.
In more seed news, our 2nd graders started carrots from seeds and then harvested 140 pounds of carrots in late February! 2nd grade has also taken on the responsibility of donating produce to Friendship Trays as part of their Service Learning. The 4th grade continues to maintain their herb beds at the 8th street garden, planting herbs that connect to their Colonial America unit. Although they have picked some herbs to dry in the classroom, the majority of the herbs are being donated to Friendship Trays.
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Finally, the 6th graders continue to be the driving force in the 8th Street Friendship Garden, working in both science classes and Service Learning to become gardening leaders. Our current harvest includes turnips, potatoes, beets, cabbage, kale and swiss chard.
the trinity voice / spring 2016
The Earth Quilt
Under the leadership of Sean Casey, parent Olga Faison and the 3rd Grade Team, the Earth Quilt (the small garden on your right as you drive into Trinity) has flourished. This year, the 3rd graders started seeds for cabbage, swiss chard, kale, brussel sprouts and turnips under the light carts and then transferred them to the Earth Quilt. Looking for flowers blooming in the spring? Nasturtiums will return again this spring and grace the cross of the Earth Quilt with their beautiful draping flowers. As always, the incredibly aromatic rosemary bushes and lemon balm plants continue to be mainstays in the Earth Quilt.
The 5th Grade Raised Bed Garden
Earlier this fall, we approached MS Math Teacher Mr. Thornton about the need to build two more raised beds for the 5th grade to grow plants outside their windows, so his STEM elective researched what was needed to build the beds and the approximate cost of the construction.
They also worked on a proposal, which they presented to Facilities Director Mr. Jenkins. After a successful bake sale with the 5th graders in March, Mr. Thornton’s STEM elective took a trip to Home Depot to purchase supplies. The beds are currently being built by Mr. Thornton and his students, and we hope to see healthy plants growing later this spring, giving the 5th graders a chance to get their hands dirty.
We are so grateful for the support of the community in this gardening revolution. As our program continues to expand, we invite you join our battle cry, “Wildcats grow here!� We welcome all ages to join us in the garden. Please email Margaret Rudisill (mrudisill@tescharlotte.org) if you would like to be put on our email list.