Kujawa Elementary Builds Garden Thanks to Lowe’s Toolbox for Education Grant

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Kujawa Elementary School staff members, students and parents volunteered their time Saturday, March 2 to haul dirt, mulch, rock and other materials to build a school inquiry garden. The community garden project was made possible by a Lowe’s Toolbox for Education Grant received by Linda Johnson. Fourth grade teachers Jacob Elmhorst and Benjamin Valle proved instrumental in constructing the blue prints, obtaining materials and building the garden boxes. As a result, each grade level will have two garden beds that they will need to plant and tend to. Staff members have also purchased several fruit and nut trees that will surround the garden.

The outdoor classroom will enhance the integration of core disciplines in an interactive learning environment. The garden will enable these young consumers to see how their food is grown as well as to take an active part in the joys of gardening. Research shows that school gardening has many benefits for children – encouraging them to be successful learners, resilient individuals and responsible citizens of tomorrow.

“At Kujawa Elementary, we believe that this inquiry garden will connect children to the natural world, change students’ eating habits, promote responsibility and help change attitudes towards learning,” stated Kimberly Corrick, International Baccalaureate (IB) coordinator at the Kujawa Education Center. “With every seed planted, sprouts a new learning opportunity for our students and the community.”

In the image above, Elmhorst is pictured building one of a number of garden boxes. Below are some additional images of staff members, students and parents lending a hand to build the garden at Kujawa Elementary.

Students worked together to help build the school’s garden.

Parents and staff members hauled and raked dirt for the garden.

Staff members shoveled rocks to place in wheelbarrows.