EPCHS Students & Staff Join Forces to Renovate School Courtyard

The students and staff at Evergreen Park Community High School have been hard at work renovating a school courtyard that needed updating. Mrs. Robin Fullarton, Administrative Assistant to the Director of Student Services, pursued and obtained her Master Gardener certification last fall. She used her certification to work with students and staff to transform the courtyard into a beautiful space.

The process began in early March when National Honor Society and Civics class students helped to smother the existing ground cover by laying down cardboard and mulch. No chemicals were used. After many design and planning sessions, the planting began six weeks later. Almost everything planted in the courtyard is native to Illinois. In addition, plants that are attractive to pollinators were included.

Many people were involved in this project including Ms. Nancy Kreith, the Horticulture Extension Educator for the University of Illinois Extension Center in Matteson. Ms. Kreith was instrumental in the design of the garden. The day of the planting she met with the science students to help them understand the importance of native plants and pollinators in our environment. The students then proceeded to the courtyard and planted over 80 native flowers and grasses, a tree and several large bushes. Several local Master Gardeners were also on hand to assist the students.

Special education students from the AERO Co-op were also included in this project and were very excited to be given their own section of the garden to plant. Finally, students in the Building & Construction class made several birdhouses which really added a nice finishing touch.

The courtyard will be an attractive and peaceful space for students and staff to enjoy for years to come.