Our elementary school is located in Elk Grove, Ca. Since opening in 2004 we have grown to support over 1,100 students. We are one of Elk Grove's largest elementary schools and we are also one of the most ethnically diverse schools.
While we support many different languages and cultures at AHES, we also have approximately 33% of our students on a free and reduced meal program.
In addition, AHES is also one of the highest achieving Elementary Schools in our region. Our school has been recognized numerous times for consistently meeting our CST goals and most importantly successfully showing that we can close the Achievement Gap.
Our students, staff, and families are committed to success. Our staff and administrators are motivated professionals committed to providing our students with hands on learning in not only Math and Language Arts. We are proud to provide a rich education with hands on learning in Science, Art, Visual and Performing Arts, Nutrition, and now gardening and community service.
In December 2011, our staff received approval to build a school garden. We had a great plan but no money to execute it. We were approached by a former student who was looking for a community service project to earn his Eagle Scout Badge. We were able to complete the 12 planter boxes in March 2012. Now a weedy vacant lot has been transformed into a community beautification project that allows our students and staff hands on learning opportunities in science, nutrition and organic gardening.
My Project
Each grade level has its own planter box to enjoy. We also made sure we had a specially designed planter box that allows our students with physical disabilities from our SLS class to access it because of its special height and design. We are excited to have an ongoing relationship with the local Food Bank and have donated over 50lbs of fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs this summer. We would like wheel barrows to allow students the ability to move soil and garden waste. A sprinkler or drip system so that our garden can be watered when our campus is closed. Composting bins so that we can expand our students knowledge of organic gardening. Last, we would like to request a shed so that we will have a place to store gardening supplies.
We are grateful for the success that we have had with our garden but we know that it can be expanded to better serve our students and community.
We would like for our students to be able to spend more time working in the garden and learning about science, nutrition and community service.
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