Levy Lakeside Students get a Green Thumb at School's First Garden Program

Students in third and fifth grade at Levy Lakeside School in the Merrick School District are learning the fundamentals of vegetables, gardening, sustainability and healthy eating through the school’s first garden education enrichment program.

With the help of Green City Growers, a Massachusetts-based urban farming company, the students visit the outdoor classroom weekly to participate in hands-on gardening activities. They learn about the anatomy of plants by examining their leaves and roots, determine which insects are harmful and which are beneficial for the garden, and witness the dedication and time fruits and vegetables need to grow, all while making an ecologically friendly impact on the earth.

The students are involved in every stage of production, from designing raised beds with specific soils and establishing irrigation tracks to harvesting a variety of vegetables and herbs. They also learn to maintain pest- and insect-free gardens by spraying natural pesticides and building fences to prevent critters from eating the vegetation.

The garden education enrichment program was developed by Levy Lakeside Principals Elizabeth Trencheny and Allison Banhazl, members of the PTA and Site-Based Team to expand learning beyond the classroom and provide unique opportunities for students to grow.

Photos: Merrick School District.