Getting the Dirt on Bayview Elementary School

At Bayview Elementary School, Nurse Peggy Mack teamed with Principal Tara Raspanti and garden consultant, John Deickmann, to apply for a garden grant through the Whole Kids Foundation, an educational foundation of the Whole Foods Corporation.  Their efforts paid off and the school has been rewarded a generous $2,000 grant.  The grant money is being used to cultivate an edible garden in the school’s courtyard.  This space has been transformed through the hard work of the students, staff, and volunteers to create a living outdoor classroom. 

John Deickmann graciously has been volunteering his experience mentoring garden Bayview coordinator and parent Ken Weston.  Deickmann plotted out a 75’ x 40’ raised bed garden and plans to grow vegetables and herbs from A to Z (or alyssum to zucchini).  Nurse Mack and parent volunteers worked over the summer to construct six raised beds defined with stone blocks graciously donated by Clayton Block of Freehold.  Material donations were also gratefully accepted from Capelli’s Landscaping, Potter’s and Son Lawn and Garden, and Molzon’s Landscaping.  Each bed was filled with organic soil to prepare for the school year.  The students will start the seedlings in their classrooms to be planted in spring 2014. 

During the school year, the students get down and dirty in the garden while learning about healthy eating habits and much more.  The Whole Kids Foundation adds that school gardens provide opportunities to learn about “complex topics like sustainability and conservation, food systems and community awareness, and cultivate an appreciation for food from seed to plate.”

On October 17, 2013, Bayview will host a “carrot crunch” and garden dedication ceremony, with representatives from Whole Foods, Middletown School Superintendent Dr. George, and students from the upper grades, grades three through five, in attendance.  On World Food Day, October 24th, the younger grades, Kindergarten through second grade, will be invited into the living classroom to taste some of the greens that are growing this fall. 

Finally, the quote from Mara Beamish, “A garden always gives back more than it receives,” proves true at Bayview.  The garden has already yielded wonderful opportunities for students and well as for parents/guardians.  If you would like to become involved through volunteerism or donations, please contact the Bayview School Garden Coordinators, Natalie Randolph and Ken Weston.  They can be reached on Facebook through Bayview Parents.