Envision a space where students, families, and volunteers come together to grow, learn, and thrive, an outdoor classroom that provides opportunities for hands-on learning, supports student wellness, and even has the potential to provide fresh produce.
This is a group of Vargas Elementary School volunteers’ vision for their school’s garden.
Led by Vargas parent Vasudha Venkatesh, Vargas fifth-grade teacher Julianna Ferguson, and Vargas transitional kindergarten teacher Stephany Haskins, the volunteers have restored the garden, cleaning it up and replenishing the soil with fertilizers to get it ready for planting. The next step is to work on the irrigation system and plant seeds and seedlings. Over the summer, the Vargas Garden Team will maintain the garden and create a garden calendar for the upcoming school year, working with teachers to integrate the garden into their curriculum.
According to the garden volunteers, gardening can benefit children in many ways, providing inspiration for future STEM careers and opportunities for teamwork and math and writing exploration, in addition to reducing stress and encouraging healthy eating. In September, the team plans to plant pumpkins and begin implementing the garden curriculum covering these broad themes:
- Fall — Seeds & Germination
- Winter — Plant Life Cycles & Soil Science
- Spring — Planting & Growth Observation
- Summer — Sustainability & Harvest
- Year-Round — Garden Club + Garden Journals
The Vargas Garden Team is looking for volunteers! Fill out the volunteer form in English or Spanish to join the team.
