Greenhouse projects continue to grow at Stanton
HAMMONDSVILLE -- The Stanton Elementary School greenhouse has undergone some changes throughout the summer and continues to cultivate students' minds, as well as various plants and foods.
Principal Kodi Peterson explained work concluded this summer on the longtime greenhouse, including the installation of new windows and a fresh coat of paint.
"We've replaced the glass panels, cleaned, repainted and resealed the greenhouse and have a compost bin with leftover scraps from the school cafeteria," he said. "It is managed by the students and work was done over the summer by contractor Trevor Eisnaugle." The room was last updated approximately 10 years ago, and is being utilized by third-grade teacher Alicia Hartman and her students. The children have been growing flowers and vegetables to generate funds for an ongoing project.
"At the moment, we are growing zinnias and we were studying the parts of the plants," Hartman said. "We started green beans and did a germination experiment. Then, we plan to add radishes and kale for fall weather crops." Hartman stated that hopefully, the class can reap the rewards of the crops and serve the food at school.
"It would be nice if we could grow food for the cafeteria to use," she noted. The initial produce was sold throughout the past year through the Smarty Plants Greenhouse project, Hartman explained. Last year, nearly 50 students planted a selection of flowers, vegetables and more to peddle starter plants online. Hartman utilized a $660 Best Practices Grant from the Jefferson County Educational Service Center to help fund the supplies. She expects the project to be sustainable for years to come. Hartman said the idea blossomed after she moved into a new classroom that included a greenhouse. In addition to planting, the class has kept tadpoles and butterflies, later released into their environment.
"Since last year, we've sold yellow squash, zucchini, watermelons, peppers, green beans, sunflowers, zinnias, mint, catnip, thyme and basil," she continued. "We earned nearly $500 to go back into the greenhouse program and for field trips for third- and fourth-graders. The money will benefit this year's and last year's students."
"It will be something every kid needs to travel with and they earned it with the greenhouse program," Hartman said.
The class will continue selling its home-grown goods and are planning to add some new items for spring. Hartman said the project helps meet third-grade learning standards.
"The third-grade standards introduce science and I am trying to make it interesting," she commented. "Part of the focus is life science, or the life cycles of plants and animals. The students see how it truly works while math students learn how to budget, take orders and make change. It's a very entrepreneurial life experience for them."