Real School Garden Big Dig Day

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We could hardly believe that the day had come! It was time to install our new Real School Garden. Everything that we had planned on paper would come to life before our eyes.

We were fortunate to receive a Real School Garden grant last year and with financial support from FedEx, Bank of America, United Way and the Junior League of Dallas, we were on our way to completing our garden project. The project originally got a financial kick start from a very supportive past principal, Johnlyn Mitchell, a caring member of our school community, Lynn Dowler and 3 Junior League of Dallas grants. We were able to build 11 vegetable beds and furnish our garden shed with all the tools and supplies we would need to learn and work in our garden. The RSG grant would allow us to enlarge our garden and include an outdoor classroom. We will also receive 3 years of professional development for all of our PreK-5 teachers to learn how to incorporate teaching and learning in the garden in all subject areas.

So on Saturday, May 3rd, Real School Garden staff members, Kramer faculty, students and parents, community members, employees from FedEx, Bank of America, United Way, Junior League of Dallas and Dallas County Master Gardners all pitched in to build our garden. There were approximately 300 people working from 8:00-2:30 to get the job done. And we did it!

 

We collected tools all week long before the dig. Teachers and parents brought their tools which were stored in the gym.

 

 

Our district also had to do some prep work before the big day. They put in new sidewalks and the outdoor classroom.

 

We already had the gazebo, but a white board and sidewalk were added.

 

A sidewalk leads to the outdoor classroom and the vegetable beds.

 

 

May 3rd

Sunrise and it is time to set up tables for breakfast foods, the art station and registration.

 

Registration- Kramer teachers are ready to WORK!

 

Breakfast tables

 

Setting out the tools

 

Mrs. Moorehead, science teacher, Ms. Harris, principal, Cathy Southwick, garden teacher, Beth Lloyd and Amanda Finney, Junior League of Dallas members

Everyone getting their assignments for the day!

 

And then it was time to WORK, WORK WORK!

 

 

 

 

Students painted rocks to place around the garden for decorations and 3 birdhouses.

 

Daniel Armendaris sketches out his design for the mural.

 

And boy do we love the mural!

 

Thanks for the pond Bank of America!

 

Four new garden beds are completed!

 

Pat Lockerd, a master gardener that attended Kramer as a child and Johnlyn Mitchell, a past principal of Kramer  

 

Time for lunch and then back to work!

 

 

Time for a compost lesson

 

By 3:30, the gate was locked and everyone went home to rest! Mission accomplished!

 

 

 

On Monday morning, our students were pleasantly surprised and amazed at what had transpired over the weekend. Our garden was Grand Central Station!

 

 

 

Thank you Real School Gardens, Bank of America, FedEx, United Way, Junior League of Dallas, Master Gardeners, Ms. Mitchell and Mrs. Dowler!!!! We love our new and improved Johnlyn G. Mitchell Learning Garden.