The Kinder-Garden — STJ on the Move

by: Megan Deal, STJ class of 2009 and Kindergarten teacher

We are growing gardeners in Kindergarten at Saint James School! With a wonderful donation from Bonnie plants, plus a lot of help and planning from Principal Harris and science lab teacher Mrs. Gibbons, our students planted 50 herbs including basil, cilantro, thyme, oregano, and rosemary in a special “Kinder-garden” bed within our school garden. Each kindergarten class took part in digging holes in the soil and planting all of the herbs!

Each week, our three Kindergarten classes visit the garden to inspect and maintain each garden bed. With each garden visit, students help pull weeds and even spray natural remedies for certain worms and insects. The students have learned so much about protecting the plants and the sunlight, water, soil, and air needed to grow healthy plants. They have loved watching the progress of the herbs over many weeks and excitedly anticipate harvest day!

Saint James School’s community garden provides a vibrant, outdoor space for learning, enhances opportunities for community-building and recreation, strengthens lessons on environmental stewardship, and gives students ownership in growing healthy produce.