Spring Garden Improvements

Teaming Up with our Students and the Community for Improved Garden Learning 

Rain or shine, under our ever-changing spring weather, our scholars, families, staff, and community members eagerly rolled up their sleeves to refresh and revitalize school gardens across the district in preparation for spring planting, outdoor learning, and to grow produce for the Garden to Cafeteria program.

Through the Garden to Cafeteria program, students gain hands-on experience with cultivating native plants and other nutritious produce, which is then served at lunchtime about four times a year. The gardens participating in the program are located at the Employment and Transition Program (ETP), Lakota Middle School, Wildwood Elementary, and Olympic View K-8.

For the 2025-26 school year, the program will welcome four additional gardens: Enterprise Elementary, Illahee Middle School, Thomas Jefferson High School, and Star Lake Elementary. Additionally, starting next year, FWPS Wellness will host health and wellbeing events for all district staff at our school gardens.

Enterprise Garden –– an Evolving Learning Station

At the recent Enterprise Elementary’s garden work party, volunteers enriched the soil with fertilizer and compost. Soon, teachers and school counselors will bring students to the gardens for educational activities and planting sessions.

"We are helping in the garden and learning about plants and how they grow," shared fifth grader Carson, enthusiastic about her work in the garden.

The garden is getting ready to grow herbs and veggies, including radish, peas, lettuce, potatoes, carrots, cilantro, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, that will be served for lunch at the school, as part of the Garden to Cafeteria program.

The garden, once just an empty patch of grass, was transformed over 12 years ago by former teacher Nancy Sunitsch into a vibrant community garden and outdoor learning space. As an Enterprise teacher back then, Nancy worked with her school and district to obtain grants to make the garden a reality. 

“It's great to come back and give back. The garden has evolved, but its basic structure remains. You can bring the kids out here and they learn so much; there are so many activities you can do," said Nancy, delighted that the garden will now provide food for school lunches.

“Students need more veggies, and they get so excited about eating carrots they grow, along with other produce like lavender and rosemary. 

For parent Amanda Chandler and her two children, volunteering in the garden is a meaningful family activity. "The community aspect, working together, and the shared benefit of growing food is significant. Honoring the earth, caring for the land, and participating in planting and harvesting teaches responsibility and ownership," she shared.

Hector, the father of an Enterprise student shared, “I came with my daughter so we could share with the community and so she can learn about home and school activities, and about nature.” 

The Garden to Cafeteria program, alongside initiatives like the Farm to School Grant, underscores FWPS Nutrition Services' dedication to fostering local partnerships with farmers and offering educational experiences that connect students to agriculture. These programs enhance the district’s gardens and promote agricultural learning while supporting sustainable meal sourcing.

For the 2023-24 school year, FWPS Nutrition Services was awarded $259,400 through the Washington State Department of Agriculture Farm to School Purchasing Grant. These funds are designated for purchasing locally grown and produced food items in Washington State for school meals, childcare meals, and summer meals, sourced directly from farms or through distributors like Charlie’s Produce.

Nautilus –– A Garden with Rich History of Community Involvement and Learning

At Nautilus K-8, the garden beds needed replacement. A group of dedicated volunteers, including students, families, and community members, came together to remove the old wood, plants, and soil, paving the way for new, more functional beds that promise enhanced learning opportunities.

AVID AmeriCorps is set to further the project by removing an additional five garden beds. Following this, parent contractors, volunteers, and several other PTA members will collaborate to rebuild the beds, utilizing PTA funds. To celebrate this effort and promote community wellness, a garden reciprocity party will take place where the beds will be refilled with soil and wood chips.

Later this spring, the garden will become a vibrant learning space for Nautilus students, as every class will participate in a three-day STEAM Lab. Additionally, the garden will host summer school sessions in July, offering a dynamic educational experience for all participants.

The garden's origins trace back to 2011 when third-grade teacher Melissa Stanley, then a parent of some Nautilus K-8 students, initiated the project with her brother. They secured a grant from BECU and additional support from PTA funds. The community rallied, with teachers, families, Girl and Boy Scout troops, and a church group contributing to the garden's construction, including the building of a greenhouse.

Each year, students take charge of planting the entire garden, while families tend to it during the summer. The produce harvested is generously donated to the multi-service center and to the families who lend a hand in maintaining the garden. In recent years, the garden has also become an integral part of the summer school programs, further enriching the educational experience at Nautilus K-8 and FWPS.

At FWPS, we are committed to offering diverse learning opportunities and community engagement so that every student becomes empowered and prepared to be a positive, responsible, and productive members of society.