Page 121 - FY21 Wellness Promotion Policy Annual Report
P. 121
STUDENTS
Physical Education
& Physical Activity Environment &
Physical Environment EMPLOYEES Engagement Family Physical COORDINATING POLICY, PROCESS, AND PRACTICE Counseling, Social & FAMILIES
Nutrition
Community
Services
Involvement
Psychological
Services
HEALTHY SAFE
CHALLENGED SUPPORTED ENGAGED
Social &
Emotional
Environment
Employee IMPROVING LEARNING AND HEALTH Health Climate
Wellness Education
Health
Services
COMMUNITY
Finally, they are experimenting with Fall, Winter and Spring crops in a way, which can be replicated within
the neighborhood and surrounding areas, which is truly the purpose of this project: To educate, inspire and
create a hands-on learning experience which brings great benefit to the body, mind, and spirit.
The produce generated by this endeavor will be shared with the volunteers and neighbors that make it all
possible. Should the garden yield the overflow they are hoping for, they intend to work with the administration
at North Grade Elementary to bring more produce into the community through the parents of students at the
school and perhaps even at a local food bank. The expected yield for the year is somewhere between 1,000-
2,500 pounds, which may vary depending on various factors, including weather.
On October 27, 2020, the School Board and Superintendent approved the five-year agreement between the
District and Soil & Soul, Inc. for a community shared garden, known as Tiger Garden, on the campus of North
Grade Elementary.
School Gardens
Due to the onset of COVID-19 School Gardens turned out to be coveted spaces. While students were required
to maintain social distancing, they were allowed to work and participate in garden activities.
Let’s Grow – Garden Newsletter
The school garden newsletter, Let’s Grow, is growing strong. We just completed our fifth year and it’s a
publication that our teachers look forward to receive.
Each newsletter included the following:
Seed Money Section – opportunities to apply for grant funding and enter contests
Available learning opportunities for teachers inside and outside the county
Access to:
School Garden Hub Page
Access to Community Partners
th
School Garden Development Guide – 4 Edition
Garden Related Learning Opportunities
School Updates
Best Practices
Garden Surveys
Sample Garden Newsletter
Closing Down Your Garden Workshop
To ensure schools have the support necessary to effectively end one garden season while preparing for the
next one, in FY21, the School Food Service Department partnered with the University of Florida’s Institute of
Food and Agricultural Standards (IFAS) Family Nutrition Team and the Joseph P Cory Foundation to offer a
virtual workshop called, “Closing Down your Garden.” This program was delivered to interested teachers on
May 13, 2021.
The intention and focus of this presentation was to prepare schools to successfully close down their garden
for the season by planting cover crops to prepare them for their return to school in August 2021.
121
