Garden Named For Longtime Sachem Teacher Spruced Up By Students

HOLBROOK, NY — A garden created in honor of a longtime school teacher at Grundy Avenue Elementary in Holbrook has been rejuvenated with butterfly-friendly plants and shrubs by a group of students as part of a year-long project.

The Kevin Kelly Memorial Garden was made into a waystation for Monarch Butterflies with the addition of milkweeds, nectar plants, and shelter for the insects throughout their annual cycle of reproduction and migration, which runs from April through September.

The garden, which was created years ago in honor of Kelly, was "meant to reflect his interest in science and the outdoors," school district officials said in a news release, adding that it was officially welcomed into the Grundy Avenue school community last week with members of his family on hand.

Kelly’s daughter, Taylor Anderson, and her husband, Mark Anderson, cut the ribbon at the garden's opening, and they were joined by Grundy teachers and co-coordinators of the school garden club, Donna Sherwood and Angela Coffaro, as well as students.

The garden club made the project its goal over the past school year, and it was a true community effort that involved nearly 40 students, custodians, Girl Scouts, faculty members, the Parent and Teacher Association, and school office staff, according to school officials.

Students and staff were grateful for the opportunity to bring this space back to life, as well as give
back to the school community, and Kelly’s family, officials said.