Peterson Elementary School hosted a vibrant Earth Day celebration, marking the triumphant reopening of its beloved school garden, The Peterson Patch. After a hiatus due to the pandemic and campus modernization under Measure Q, the garden is once again thriving, thanks to the unwavering dedication of parent volunteers and the generous support of the local community.
The garden restoration has been a labor of love, with nearly 600 volunteer hours poured into the project; it has been a collaborative effort involving donations from the school PTA and the community, including contributions from parents, local hardware stores and other businesses. Peterson Elementary parents Melanie Zea and Mary Schiesser spearheaded the initiative and, with the help of dedicated volunteers, have successfully breathed new life into the space and brought it to fruition. This outpouring of support highlights the garden's importance as a center for learning and environmental care. Now that the garden is operational, educators at Peterson Elementary are excited to incorporate it into their lessons, providing students with hands-on learning experiences.
As the garden reopened its gates, students eagerly embraced the opportunity to reconnect with nature. Students gained valuable skills and a profound appreciation for the environment through hands-on activities such as planting seeds, tending to insect visitors, and nurturing plants.
The Earth Day celebration culminated these efforts, bringing together students, parents, and community members in a collective expression of environmental consciousness. The April 22nd event featured a campus clean-up initiative and an art activity using recycled materials, unleashing students’ creativity while emphasizing the importance of repurposing and conservation.
Reflecting on the success of the Earth Day celebration, Melanie expressed her gratitude to all those who contributed to the garden's revival. "This event has truly been a labor of love," she remarked. "Seeing how our community has rallied to revitalize our school garden is incredible."
Peterson Elementary's Earth Day celebration showcased the school garden's incredible improvement, volunteers' dedication, and community support. If you're inspired to nurture this space and assist its growth, please email garden@petersonpta.org. Let's continue cultivating a culture of sustainability together!
Check out this video featuring Ruth, a student from Peterson Kindergarten, as she gives a brief tour of the Peterson Patch.
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