(pictured above, La Tercera Elementary School presentation - Principal Ken Schwinn with Jennifer Ramstad of Barbara's Bakery and PEF Executive Director Janet Ramatici center and grant writer/3rd grade teacher Roberta O'Neill. Also pictured - before shot of the school's soon-to-be transformed edible garden)
Petaluma-based Barbara's Bakery has fulfilled over a decade-long pledge to multiple schools across the city in this year's funding of a $5,000 Petaluma Educational Foundation 2011 Major Impact Grant for the creation of both an Edible Garden at La Tercera Elementary School.
The entire student body of the 488-strong East side school will benefit from a sustainable teaching garden that will house school-lunch salad bar edibles. An additional grant for $1,500 has been donated by Petaluma Garden Club for the creation of a California Native Plant Garden on the campus.
One pre-existing garden, created on the campus in 1997 has largely gone to weeds due to lack of irrigation and has been in dire need of maintenance and beautification. Plans are to revive this area for edible gardening purposes and to construct new raised beds for the native plant area.
Third Grade teacher Roberta O'Neill said: "The gardens will be used by every teacher to address and fulfill the grade level standards across the curriculum in math, language arts, social studies and science."
Students relocated from Old Adobe School District's Bernard Eldredge School that closed due to budget cuts in 2010 are delighted with the news that they are to have the enjoyment of new learning experiences in gardens at La Tercera. Bernard Eldredge School's Butterfly and California Mission Gardens (in part funded by Barbara's Bakery) had been showcase outdoor teaching areas within the district.
Petaluma Educational Foundation administers the PEF Grant Program to enable teachers and school communities to bring innovative ideas to fruition. Since its inception in 1992, PEF has awarded 1514 grants totaling $1,844,770.
The PEF Grant Program rewards innovation and is supportive of the school’s or District’s overall goals, while being in the best interests of all students affected. The PEF Grant Program is entirely funded by individual donations to its annual “Fund the Future“ campaign.
Major Impact grants are awarded up to $15,000 with significant emphasis on innovative programs of extraordinary scope, reach or longevity.
(quotes sourced from Grant applications)
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