Greenway Elementary Gardens
Greenway Elementary School in the Beaverton School District
incorporates lessons on gardening into their yearly
curriculum. Students learn about all phases of gardening and get to
experience the rewards when a bloom or blossom appears in the
garden. Al’s Garden Center is happy to participate in the
Greenway Elementary program. It is through educational programs like
these that inspire the future gardeners of tomorrow.
Monica Kmetz-Gonzales wrote this letter to Al’s Garden Center,
explaining how the donations from Al’s are used in the
school’s program:
Greenway Elementary is fortunate to have five raised beds located
at the side of the school for student gardening opportunities. Special
planting projects are conducted each Spring and Fall with different groups
of students. Since Spring of 2006, Al’s Garden Center, Sherwood
has donated plant material for these projects.
Students are involved in all phases of the gardening process
including initial clean-up of winter debris in the Spring, planting,
watering, weeding, and general maintenance. Last Spring, after
brilliant tulips in the beds had made their return, ESL (English as a
Second Language) students planted marigolds provided by Al’s, while
all three Kindergarten classes planted sunflowers to augment their plant
studies in the classroom. In the Fall, ESL students planted beautiful
pansies donated by Al’s which provided that great burst of color
throughout the autumn and winter months.
Greenway Staff members Laurie Manghelli and Monica
Kmetz-Gonzalez, who oversee the projects, are deeply appreciative of
Al’s plant donations. Greenway students are learning about the
work involved in gardening, and about the joy and rewards!
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