Forwood's Sensory Garden

On Saturday morning, April 29th, Forwood Elementary School staff, students, parents, and other family members gathered to plant their Sensory Garden as part of their Green Schools efforts. 

Green Team Leader and 4th grade teacher, Leona Williams,  teacher Julie Goodnow and her husband Michael John were supported by parent Pam Bargen and her children, students Samantha and Eli, and parent Deb Bieler over spring break to remove the sod in preparation of planting. Next, Matt Savage, husband of teacher Greta Savage, tilled the land.  Mrs. Williams was joined by Green Team members Greta Savage, Julie Goodnow, and Elaine Mendelson and Donna Schweitzer to establish the garden plan on the site with the guidance of Naturalist and Landscape Architect Serah Jo Pesce. 

Gardeners today included Forwood students Haley Schleeweis, Caitlin McKeown, Katie Grant, Anna Fleury-Steiner and Robin Fleury-Steiner joined by PS DuPont Middle School National Junior Honor students Connor Schleeweis, Hannah D'Argenio, and Peyton Jenkins. Parents including Mrs. McKeown, Mrs. Grant, and Mrs. Fleury-Steiner and staff members Catherine Ward, Floride Jung and Mrs. Williams with her husband, Joe, and sister, Teresa Long all contributed.  Mr. Williams also set up nesting boxes on the back field. Forwood's Garden Club and other students will continue to plant in the coming weeks.

The Forwood Sensory Garden, which will attract and feed pollinators, will be utilized as an outdoor classroom for multi-curricular instruction including science, mathematics, writing, and drawing.  The garden will include a wind sculpture and a solar bird bath.  It is primarily funded by a grant from Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility through the Delaware Valley Green Building Council.  Additional funding from the First State Resource Conservation & Development Council for garden needs and Brandywine Education Foundation for books on Earth and Life Science as well as gardening are supporting Forwood's educational efforts.  Numerous Green efforts, including the sensory garden, have received funding from Forwood's generous PTA.

A link to photos is included below.

https://goo.gl/photos/Ez5sSGz466Ym4jMc8 

Mrs. Leona Williams

Forwood Elementary School