Clayton Middle teachers Allison Dunn and Joel Fitzgerald have been working this year to transform the school’s enclosed courtyard into an outdoor classroom/community garden that all Eagles can enjoy.
“We are creating a school garden to promote sustainability and encourage students to learn more about the science of horticulture,” said Dunn.
She added that school garden programs promote a healthy lifestyle, inspiring children to explore nutrition and the environment as a whole.
“Our garden will serve as an outdoor classroom integrating science, biotechnology, ecology, math, art, and writing,” she said. “Teachers will use our courtyard garden to engage students of all levels in hands-on, cross-disciplinary lessons.”
In order to help fund the outdoor classroom Dunn said the school is asking for donated items, monetary donations, funding support from the PTA and Booster Club, and also applying for various grants.
Dunn added that she and Fitzgerald are planning to hold a few Saturday community garden work days, where students, parents, staff, and community members are invited to work in the garden.
