Bulkeley Middle School may have some additional civics class students assisting with the hydroponic garden in the future after the Chancellor Livingston Elementary School physical education student council visited the middle school garden.
“It was really fun,” said fifth grader Jaden Lopez Contreras. “We got to see the gardens, and I would like to be involved with the garden in middle school.”
Rhys Smith Ramos said he hopes to work with the garden and looks forward to eating the garden’s produce for lunch in the middle school cafeteria.
“It’s probably better for you,” he said. “I love to cook and eat salads.”
This is an annual trip for the CLS physical education council members where they get the opportunity to learn about hydroponic gardening, sustainable agricultural practices and proper harvesting techniques.
“Being able to teach my students about hydroponic gardening is a great way to open their eyes to the possibilities of gardening,” said Karen Yarnell, CLS physical education teacher. “This trip is a wonderful way to take student leadership to the next level, as well as how to enhance the overall school district community.”
Yarnell added, “Since my family has our own vegetable and herb garden, I want students to learn about the joy of gardening and the delicious fresh vegetables they can have at home.”
Henry Frischknecht teaches the seventh grade civics class.
“The hydroponic garden that we run through our civics classes is an incredible asset to the district,” he said. “It is a project that was created by students, is run by students and benefits students. I am hoping that as we learn more and continue to work, we will be able to expand the program to serve and include more students in the district.”
Fifth grader Ellie Cruickshank enjoyed the trip to the middle school, meeting everyone and learning about the hydroponic garden. She said there would not be a dull moment once she gets to the middle and high schools.
“I learned in the middle school and high school, you will never be bored,” she said. “They’ll be a lot of activities to join and the teachers are very nice. They want to teach you and be your friend.”