Lafayette Elementary School

About the Program:

Our partnership Lafayette Elementary began after the parents and community volunteers had decided to renovate their dilapidated garden area.  They raised enough money to build new beds and start planting but needed more support to build a sustainable garden program that included science equipment, curriculum, tools and supplies. Now, the program is an integrated weekly class with all 440 students. A dedicated classroom provides year-round exploration and learning. As the program grew, so did the enthusiasm from the teachers, students and volunteers, leading to an even better program.

Testimonial:

“Our grant from the Robins Nest Family Foundation has allowed us to engage Lafayette students with hands on learning in our school garden program. With this funding we have been able to implement projects that have given our students the opportunity to get a close up look at plants and animals that have directly correlated to the Next Generation Science Standards that they are learning in the classroom: from ecosystems and weather, to plant and animal needs and dependencies. Perhaps the student’s favorite things are the microscopes that have opened their eyes to a whole new world they had never been exposed to before. The grant has allowed us to give teachers and students opportunities to drive their own learning, designing engaging lessons that tie to our garden and life sciences. We see firsthand the excitement that the garden program provides and know that this funding is having a direct impact on the learning and health of our students. Thank you!”

-Alden Alvarado, Garden Teacher, Lafayette Elementary