Spring has sprung at Newbury Elementary School!

There’s been a lot of planning for our “lab gardens” here at NES.  Each classroom has adopted a garden or raised bed.  Our 5/6 team has committed to keeping the permaculture gardens in shape and also the perennial beds around our historic Common.  The K/1 team plans to plant a “5 senses garden”, and a 1/2 class is planning a butterfly garden.  In enrichment, we host gardeners from grades K-6 who have been making good choices in school.  This allows us to work with small groups as we work in the garden spaces.  Students in the 3/4 team have been interviewing our culinary guru, Chef Paul, to plan and plant vegetables that will be used to support the school lunch program.  Also, 3 beautiful laying hens have made their new home in back of our school.  K/1 students have enjoyed learning about their quirky habits and finding eggs each day to use in classroom projects.

Additionally, we have a robust community group that’s committed to “Grow a Row” activities and also helping Chef Paul process vegetables for the upcoming school year.  As you can see, things are really cooking at NES now that spring has finally arrived.  Our best to all of you gardeners out there! – Kim Goody, Farm to School Coordinator, Newbury Elementary School, Newbury, VT