Summer break is pretty much just that - a break. Schoolwork takes a backseat for a couple of months. Buildings are quieter, many classrooms are empty, it’s a temporary reprieve or pause. At RJB there was something that was not on pause; it was growing. Thanks to RJB teacher of family, consumer science, and health, Adriana Parker, the newly restored community garden flourished over the summer.
“RJB is lucky to have a teacher like Adriana Parker who invested so much time and effort into not only resurrecting the garden and incorporating the process in her class curriculum, but also dedicating summer break time to meet with us and maintain the garden,” said a PTA Council and RJB PTA member. Almost every week this summer, GCSD PTA members would come to work on the garden, often with their children’s help. “There was an abundance of growth over the summer so we would harvest baskets full of vegetables and donate them to community organizations, such as the Fairview and Hartsdale Fire Departments,” they said. “Some RJB families took produce home as well, and shared their greens with neighbors. It really is special.”
The RJB Community Garden project has also fostered a collaborative relationship with the Greenburgh Farmers’ Market as a result of the donations from the thriving garden. “The greens that made their way to the market were donated to the market vendors and given to local families. I hope to see the market back next year, the produce and food available included EBT-eligible CSA shares and free baked goods, courtesy of Panera.” said Samantha Ives, GCSD PTA Council President and RJB PTA member. “It would be great to build on our community outreach partnership with the market, but the garden really stands on its own.”
Thanks to a generous and highly competitive grant from Whole Foods, the community garden at RJB will continue to grow as it enters Phase 2 of the project.
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