A Garden Grows at Rogers Park Middle School Students learn about ecosystems by creating their own By tearing down vines of invasive plants, by moving rocks and logs to build a bog, and by crawling around in the dirt to plant strawberries and lettuce, eighth graders at Rogers Park Middle School proved that learning doesn’t always happen in the classroom. After months of working in their school’s backyard, the students officially presented this year’s garden to schoolmates, teachers and members of the community on June 11. The vegetable garden is made up of eight beds of lettuce, kale, peas, onions, potatoes and other edibles. The ecological garden that sits outside the fenced in vegetable area is teeming with native plants intended to attract bugs and replace the invasive plants that once dominated the grounds. The garden is part of the science curriculum for the eighth-grade cluster overseen by science teacher Bernardo DeCastro and social studies teacher Daniel Heitor. Teachers George Hochsprung, Dr. Gerard Werner and Nilda Amonte have also made substantial contributions to the garden since its inception several years ago. Each student is involved in some aspect of the garden, from report on its progress to planting and caring for the garden to cooking with the produce. The area that was previously overgrown with invasive plants is now the Native Plant Garden and the Hochsprung Outdoor Classroom. The classroom is named for George and Dawn Hochsprung. After 40 years in the Danbury schools, George Hochsprung retired last year from Rogers Park and taught the same students who are tending this year’s garden. His wife, Dawn Hochsprung, was principal of Sandy Hook Elementary School when her life was taken in the December 2012 tragedy there. A small Nyssa Black gum tree is planted in the garden to honor George and Dawn Hochsprung. The tree is a food source for birds and will grow for hundreds of years. “This whole area was a jungle,” said student Joy Hendrix, referring to the area before the weeds were taken down. Joy, a Summit student, explained how the new plants attract a multitude of bugs, which, in turn, attract birds and snakes. “It’s the whole food-chain thing.” “We’re trying to bring back as may native plants as possible,” added student Larissa Brito. The garden was expanded after the Sandy Hook tragedy and students spent months clearing the land from invasive plants that had overtaken the area. There is also a garden seating area made with logs that can be used as an outdoor classroom and can seat 25 students. Beyond the gardens is an acidic bog, common throughout New England, that attracts salamanders, frogs and other amphibious creatures, adding to the tiny ecosystem. The bog is a new addition this season made through a generous donation from Dr. Werner’s family to honor his dedication as a teacher. DeCastro said it’s an important for students to learn firsthand how plants are important to the environment. And the gardening experience also builds confidence and instills a sense of responsibility. “It gives students a sense of process, of setting a goal and that they are capable of doing it,” DeCastro said. “Being in touch with nature is precious and kids can discover a lot of things.” The garden is interdisciplinary with students learning everything from reporting to cooking. Students Leivy Espinal and Helena Ferreira are part of the cooking enrichment program. Using tomatoes, potatoes, cilantro, onions and cucumbers from the garden, the two offered homemade salsa served in pita bread and had a fresh-take on German potato salad by adding cilantro and cucumber. The outdoor classroom is also used by students in a variety of different programs at the school. #Danbury Board of Education#
Posted on: Fri, 13 Jun 2014 12:19:49 +0000
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