Island Coast High Life Skills students start a garden
Thanks to a grant presented by the Elks Lodge last week, almost a dozen Life Skills students at Island Coast High School will have the opportunity to grow vegetables and herbs this year.
“We are so appreciative of the Elks’ interest in making this possible for our kids. It’s because of our community partners that our students are having experiences that they wouldn’t otherwise. The community is coming together to enrich our students’ education,” Island Coast High School Assistant Principal of Curriculum Leigh Ann Cain said.
Four representatives from the Elks Lodge #2596 held a check presentation in the school lobby Friday, Sept. 14. The Beacon Grant, worth $2,000, helped the school start a Tower Garden, an indoor hydroponics garden, as well as outdoor raised garden beds for the Life Skills students.
“They will be checking in with us throughout the year. It’s a contingency with the grant,” Cain said of the Elks Lodge.
She said the Elks will be taking pictures of the students working in the garden and joining them through the whole process.
Life Skills teacher Robert Snyder heard about the grant due to the partnership he has formed with the Elks Lodge over the years.
“It is a great relationship,” Cain said.
The students will grow a garden using the grant money with the guidance of both Snyder and Academy of Natural Resources teacher Joe Mallon.
Eleven Life Skill students, with various disabilities, will now have the opportunity to grow tomatoes and various kinds of lettuce and herbs, both indoors and outdoors. The indoor and outdoor gardens will accommodate the students that are not able to be outdoors in the heat because of medication.
“This grant will allow them to do some indoor growing without missing out. The kids will be learning about the plants, learning about the fertilizers, soil and water, so they can grow,” Cain said. “The students are very excited. They have been looking forward to this day for a long time. They take a great deal of pride in this project and are grateful for this grant.”
The planting is under way and students are excited to make some spicy salsa once the tomatoes are harvested. Cain said the students will also be making some culinary treats for the staff.