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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Vanderheiden from Chatsworth, CA is requesting supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Vanderheiden is requesting

A School Garden for Life Science and Life Skills!

My students need garden planter supplies such as a soaker hose kit, tomato plant support, and a compost bin to grow vegetables and learn about sustainable gardening

FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Vanderheiden's classroom raised $464

This project is fully funded

My Students

My students are so excited to work in the garden planters. They love to see how their self planted seeds grow into vegetables they can eat. Their eyes light up in amazement the first time they see a vegetable they recognize from the grocery store.

My wonderful students come from a wide variety of cultural, social, and economic backgrounds, but they all have at least one thing in common: they learn best by collaborating and exploring through hands-on activities.

However, most students at our school don't have a garden at home, and no experience growing vegetables in a garden. Our school is a small title one school, providing extra instructional services and activities which support students identified as failing or most at risk of failing. Our multicultural class consists of twenty students, several with special needs. Despite their differences, my students feel safe and respected both emotionally and physically, so they are able to focus better on learning.

My Project

Students will learn hands-on how to prepare the soil so they can plant vegetable seeds and seedlings in the school planters. They learn how to irrigate responsibly using soaker hoses and timers so no runoff water is wasted. The whole class will visit the garden regularly to observe and maintain the garden. From experience I know that many students from other classes also visit the garden independently before and after school. They will be able to see the life cycle of several vegetables like green beans, tomatoes, bell peppers, pumpkins, and squash, just to name a few. As the garden grows, students will also learn how to use the compost bin and how plant cuttings, weeds and other organic matter quickly change into rich black compost that can be used to enrich the soil in the planters. Students will be empowered and inspired by this hands- on, meaningful learning experience.

Through this project, the garden will become an outdoor extension of the classroom where students learn not only life science, but also life skills.

We are very fortunate to have several planters donated to us a couple of years ago. However, because of the extreme climate here in southern California, most gardening projects have failed due to extreme drought and heat. With the addition of the irrigation, we will be able to turn the arid planters into green lush, sustainable vegetable gardens.

Mrs. Vanderheiden Chatsworth Park Elementary School Grades 3-5

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Chatsworth, CA View local requests

More than half of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

300 students impacted 4donors

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Algreen Products Soil Saver Classic Compost bin • Amazon $82.99 1 $82.99
Miracle Gro MGSPA38100FM Premium Bulk Soaker Hose Kit with EZ Connect Fittings, 3/8-Inch by 100-Feet • Amazon $27.26 3 $81.78
Gardener's Blue Ribbon 3-Pack Ultomato Tomato Plant Cage • Amazon $29.99 2 $59.98
Green Thumb Quick Connect 2-Way Hose Connector. 2 way brass hose connector - Best Y control valve garden accessories with quick connect fittings. Easy to use faucet water shut off valve on each side for flow control. Perfect for gardening and around the house use. Customer satisfaction guaranteed! • Amazon $12.97 2 $25.94
Miracle-Gro Shake 'N Feed All Purpose Continuous Release Plant Food, 4.5-Pound • Amazon $12.49 2 $24.98
Gilmour Brass 4-Way Connector 44GF • Amazon $20.03 1 $20.03
Apex 8605-25 NeverKink 2000 5/8-Inch by 25-Feet Heavy-Duty Ultra Flexible Hose • Amazon $15.47 1 $15.47
Gardner's Blue Ribbon 164 ft Sturdy Twist Tie with Cutter T009A • Amazon $6.45 1 $6.45

Materials cost

$317.62

Vendor shipping charges

 $12.70

Sales tax

 $29.06

3rd party payment processing fee

$4.76

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$394.14

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$69.55

Total project goal

$463.69

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $463.69

3 Donors

-$223.03

Donations toward project cost

-$197.08

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$25.95

match offer

-$231.84

Match offer toward project cost

-$197.06

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$34.78

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$8.83

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Vanderheiden and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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