- (Focus Area) Health
- Author: Chutima Ganthavorn
- Editor: Michele Byrnes
Summer is finally over and students at Loma Vista Middle School in Alvord Unified have returned to start a new school year. The student garden club held their first meeting on August 22, 2019. Regina Linton, the school garden teacher, was pleased to see over 50 students joining the club this year, including several students who returned from last year. Regina started the garden club in 2015 and obtained a grant to expand the garden following year. These efforts helped the school win the Gold Award twice from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation's National Healthy Schools Program. To keep the school garden club going, Regina relies on the help and support from CalFresh Healthy Living at University of California (CFHL,UC) and Master Gardener Program from University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE).
On this hot afternoon, the students were excited to see several weed filled garden beds waiting to be cleaned up. UCCE Master Gardeners Debbra Corbin-Euston and Kim Coons-Leonard, CFHL,UC Educators Claudia Carlos and Itzel Palacios-Sanchez, and two interns from Loma Linda School of Public Health, Jennifer Tran and Sarah McAfee, were on hand to help supervise students. The two master gardeners taught students to differentiate weeds from the baby nasturtiums which are edible plants, and how to use tools for weeding. With so many hands, a lot of work was accomplished in just one hour. The garden beds soon were presentable and ready for the next step. The students will get to plant a winter crop later this month, and a couple of garden beds will be used to plant a cultural garden for Shaping Healthy Choices Program which is being implemented in Mrs. Hipp's class this year by CFHL,UC.
- Author: Chutima Ganthavorn
- Editor: Michele Byrnes
Parents of new and returning students at Arizona Middle School in Alvord Unified were greeted by University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener, Eva Mayer and CalFresh Healthy Living-UC Program Supervisor, Claudia Carlos during the back to school night on August 22, 2019. Eva and Claudia conducted a youth engagement garden project at this school last year and they are looking for students to continue expanding on this project. Prospective students and parents were invited to do a quick tour of the garden and sign up for the upcoming garden club meeting.
The garden has become the focal point for this school and the pride and joy for students and staff alike. Last year, the Library Assistant, Mary Beth Stevens donated a garden bench that provided a place for students, teachers and parents to sit in solitude and enjoy nature. Eva and her son Eli have also donated several items and worked hard to create the tranquil and inviting atmosphere to the garden. Eli Mayer graduated from this school many years ago and is happy to be back to take care of this garden. What a treat to see a couple of butterfly cocoons or chrysalis hanging on a branch and several butterflies flying around. Indeed, this is a garden that shows love and care. Thanks to Eva and Eli, and to Brittany Peacock, the school garden teacher and Principal Jeffrey Diulio for all their support! CalFresh Healthy Living-UC and local partners are transforming the school environment, one school at a time, to support healthy eating and healthy living.
