Summary



3566160540385SummaryThurgood Marshall Academy PCS2427 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SEWashington, DC 20020School Website:Creation Date:2009Size:6,500 sq. feet Ward: 8Grade Levels: 9-12Enrollment: 390Free and/or Reduced Price Lunch: 77%00SummaryThurgood Marshall Academy PCS2427 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SEWashington, DC 20020School Website:Creation Date:2009Size:6,500 sq. feet Ward: 8Grade Levels: 9-12Enrollment: 390Free and/or Reduced Price Lunch: 77%544512518986500Thurgood Marshall Academy PCHS Garden -227330-4445000Major AccomplishmentsFirst and only shared school garden between a D.C. charter and a public school (A. Kiger Savoy ES).The Garden is maintained and used by students and faculty year-round.Contains a variety of elements including storm water management, edible gardens, and native wildlife habitat. Thurgood Marshall Academy started its gardens in 2006 when a group of teachers and students built four raised beds to see if they could grow their own food. Over three years, the garden has grown and in 2009 occupied an underused section of the Savoy ES field thanks to the strong partnerships between D.C. Public Schools, A. Kiger Savoy ES, and Thurgood Marshall Academy. Many organizations have supported the growth of the garden including: Earth Day Network, Project Learning Tree, Casey Trees, and City Blossoms. Located in a section of the city which has some of the highest poverty and obesity rates as well as the largest “food deserts”, this garden is an important tool to teach youth important healthy living skills. Schoolyard DescriptionPlan/DesignThe Great Garden of Anacostia is situated ? mile south of the Anacostia River, directly across from the Anacostia Metro and is visible from Howard Road. The garden was installed according to approved design drawings and installation guidelines provided by lead landscape architects at Carvalho & Good and approved by all parties involved. The garden is handicap-accessible and features a large edible garden areas (20 raised beds, a berry patch and many fruit trees), storm water garden, pollinator garden, and native plantings. Green Club members celebrating their 2011 Mayor’s Sustainability Award for their gardening efforts. Cold Frames keep lettuce growing throughout the winterOutdoor ClassroomDuring Green Club and in class, students gather on six picnic tables around a movable white board under a large tree on the blacktop, or in the garden. The classroom space is easily moved to other sections of the garden. Programs The Thurgood Marshall Academy Green Club uses the garden weekly to conduct food tastings, garden maintenance, and events. In 2011, the Green Club also provided several farmer’s markets and a CSA for students, parents, faculty, and staff. This summer, five TMA students will participate in a Garden Internship program through the DC Summer Youth Employment Program. These Garden Interns will build a Heritage Garden that will be used in several Social Studies courses throughout the year. The garden is also used by classroom teachers to provide hands-on learned in Science, Spanish, and Government classes. There are also designated plots in the garden for teachers to test their green thumb. Students compete in a "cook-off" using garden produce during Farm to School Week which was hosted by TMA. StaffingThe Garden is staffed by a part time school garden coordinator who maintains the garden. She is supported by teachers and staff who lead the Green Club activities. MaintenanceThe School Garden Coordinator is responsible for the maintenance of the garden. This person coordinates community work days and Green Club weekly meetings. Maintenance of this garden includes maintaining the irrigation system, weeding, planting, fertilizing and more. Due to the size of this garden, a considerable amount of time and expertise is required to maintain a healthy and productive space for student to learn. The USPS “Go Green” Stamp is released at the school's garden in 2011 as a part of the school’s Earth Day Celebration.A view of the garden in late fallMaterialsThe garden is maintained as an organic garden and all materials used are free of toxins that would affect soil health. Paths are made of compacted gravel, stepping stones, mulch, and grass. The raised beds are constructed with untreated pine. Garden soil is a 50-50 topsoil/compost mix and was purchased from a local organic soil company. A programmable drip irrigation system waters the entire garden efficiently. Signs are prevalent through the garden and identify plants, provide facts, and describe processes taking place in the garden. A garden shed is also utilized to store equipment and materials. FundingThe garden operates on funds from the OSSE School Garden Program, Project Learning Tree, and in kind donations from Earth Day Network. Thurgood Marshall Academy funds garden supplies, Green Club staff stipends and garden maintenance through the OSSE School Garden Grant, 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, and D.C. Trust.Lessons LearnedDeveloping an MOU outlining the terms of the garden agreement between Savoy Elementary School, DCPS, and Thurgood Marshall Academy PCS to ensure success of the garden.Starting small (the school garden at TMA started in 2006 with four raised beds). Finding effective ways to apply garden-based learning to support classroom instruction. 367792035242500 ................
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