Sagamore Garden

http://sagamorehillspta.org/garden

Who

1. Current?
2. 2014-04 - 2014-08, Laura Coats
3. Until 2014-02), Debbie Powe
4. 2013 (Garden founder), Audrey Farquharson

2013-2014

At Sagamore, the garden is for the kids. Sprouting Sagamore Scientists engages our children to take what they are learning in the classroom and enhance it by making it real. Getting dirty signifies that our kids are excelling in math and science. It means they know how to apply critical thinking and creativity as they explore and appreciate the environment and the world around them. The garden provides opportunities for our children in art, history, reading and creative writing. It fosters teamwork and collaboration, instills leadership and teaches our children about community.

Sagamore is proud to be a strong community school and Sprouting Sagamore Scientists enriches our school environment by providing rich opportunities for the children, teachers, and families that are a part of it.

Thank you Rhame Family Foundation and Kroger for your generous support of this initiative.

Garden News

Sagamore Hills Elementary School had a teaching garden for many years. Sprouting Sagamore Scientists (SSS) is the re-establishment of the existing garden space in the center courtyard of the school and the expansion of the garden that is scheduled to take place during the 2013-14 school year. SSS incorporates the teaching garden with STEM curriculum taught at the school. Teachers, parents and community organizations will implement lesson plans, activities and enrichment to make most effective use of the garden space for everyone to benefit and enjoy. This is a very exciting opportunity for all of us!

Volunteer in the Garden

Sprouting Sagamore Scientists would not be sustainable without the amazing support of volunteers from many of our teachers, Sagamore families, neighbors and volunteer organizations that help us. All teachers and Sagamore family members are encouraged to volunteer sometime in the garden.

If you are a community member or volunteer organization interested in getting involved in the garden, please contact Taylor Ackert.

STEM-Based Curriculum for Teachers and Parents

Below are resources for free STEM-related lesson plans for teachers and parents to use with children K-5 available on the internet.

• The Kohala Center: School Garden Resources
• STEM in the Garden
• National Environmental Education Foundation
• Whole Kids Foundation
• California School Gardens Network
• The Edible School Yard
• Junior Master Gardener Curricula
• National Gardening Association
• Kids Gardening
• School Garden Wizard
• National Organization Agriculture in the Classroom

Reference Material

In addition to the resources listed under STEM curriculum, teachers and parents may find these resources helpful.

• DeKalb County Master Gardener Extension Office
• Georgia Organics
• National Farm to School Network
• Atlanta Community Tool Bank
• Emory University Office of Sustainability

Sprouting Sagamore Scientists Garden Contacts

• Garden Coordinator: Debbi Powe
• STEM Curriculum: OPEN
• Planning and Construction: Richard Adelson, Ryan Webb
• Volunteer Coordinator: Taylor Ackert
• Enrichment: Jeanie Barker and Andie Scher
• Communication: Lara Baldwin and Katherine Abraham Evans
• Fundraising: Audrey Farquharson and Julie Dascher
• Webpage: John Lenz and Dave Barker

Teacher Development

From Audrey 2014-02-24:

Whole Kids Foundation should be sending a “grant packet” to the school, but I have not heard from anyone yet as to whether or not it has been received. I asked Jen Renaro and Kim Speece to let me know once it has arrived. It should include a check for $2,000.00 and instructions for evaluation and expectations. This money is to be spent on professional development for teachers participating on the garden committee (STEM / School Gardening). There are a number of great conferences every year that may interest them on the subject both at a local level and and across the U.S. If they choose one out of state, we will have to raise travel money since the grant will not pay for that. I think we could easily do that if this is what they choose. Ideally, it would be nice to see a couple of teachers obtain their certification as a Master Gardener for School Gardens through Dekalb County or elsewhere. It is not expensive but they must apply well in advance and be accepted - and take the training over the summer. This second grant was submitted entirely online and I will email you separately what I have. It is a bit more complicated.