The 2nd Annual D.C. School Garden Week is scheduled for Oct. 6-11, 2008.  This week we celebrate and build awareness about DC's school gardens.

There are many different types of gardening projects in approximately 80 DC schools. These gardens provide wildlife habitat, absorb stormwater runoff, beautify schoolyards, nourish students' minds and bodies, and more. We encourage everyone to get out to explore and celebrate DC school gardens!

 

 

Visit this site often for updates!

AMONG THE EVENTS PLANNED

  1. School Garden Photo Contest! DC Schoolyard Greening is sponsoring a photo contest for all students in grades K-12. Students can submit up to 2 photographs focusing on flowers, plants, or gardens to the following categories:
    Category I: Kindergarten-2nd Grade
    Category II: 3rd-5th Grade
    Category III: 6th-8th Grade
    Category IV: 9th-12th Grade

    Click here for the contest entry form, rules, and submission guidelines.

    You may also submit your photos via our Web site HERE.

    A panel of judges will announce the winners from each category and award prizes to the students during D.C. School Garden Week. Winning photos will be displayed at the MLK Public Library during November 2008, at at select schools during the remainder of the school year.

    The D.C. Environmental Education Consortium (DCEEC) reserves the right to use all contest submissions in future publications and outreach efforts.

    Entries must be received by September 22, 2008.

    Click here to see last year's winning photos. 

  • Event: DC School Garden Week Kick-Off
    Date: October 6
    Location: Anne Beers ES, 3600 Alabama Ave SE
  • Event:  WatershedWise DC: Trees!
    In this workshop, teachers will learn the importance of having trees on schoolyards and methods of integrating trees into the classroom. DCPS teachers will earn 8 Professional Learning Units for attending both sessions, as well as a $100 stipend.
    Date: October 7 & 9 (must attend both days)
    Time: 4:00-8:00 pm
    Location: McKinley Tech High School, 151 T St, NE
    Fee: $20 payable to DCEEC
    Registration : Click here for the flyer and registration form.
    Due by September 25, 2008
  • Event:  Garden Volunteer Workdays
    What a better way to celebrate school gardens than by making sure that it looks its best!  Gardens need constant care and attention, something that can be left on the end of a to-do list of school priorities.  This week, let's put it high on the list! 

    Schools: Are you interested in having volunteers help you with your school garden?  If so, register your volunteer event with Grace (click here) so potential volunteers can get out and garden with you.  We will be posting your contact info here so volunteers can find you.

    Volunteers: Are you interested in volunteering during DC School Garden Week? Email Grace and we will match you up with a site.
  • Event: Movie Night!
    Date: Friday, October 10
    Location: Emergence Community ArtsCollective, located in the historic Merriweather Home for Children, 733 Euclid St. NW, Washington, DC
    Time: 7:00pm

    Hosted by the DC Urban Gardeners, we are looking for suggestions for movies with a kids/gardening theme. Please email suggestions to euclidarms@yahoo.com with "School Garden Week movie" in the subject line.
  • Event: 5th Annual Fall Schoolyards Bus Tour
    Date: Saturday, October 11
    Locations: TBD
    Time: 9:00am
    Come and see exemplary and diverse greening projects at various DC schools. At the sites, you will learn how these outdoor spaces can easily be integrated into the teaching curriculum, and get ideas for how to start your own school project.

REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE

Please join us in this great effort to celebrate the success of school gardens in Washington, D.C. Let us know how you plan to participate!

  • Click here for the Sponsor Request Letter (forthcoming).
  • Click here to download the registration form (it's free!) (but also forthcoming).

PLANNING MATERIALS

  • Click here for the Save the Date.
  • Click here for quick ideas to Get Out and Garden!
  • Click here for a list of garden curricula on the Web compiled by the National Environmental Education Foundation. Click here to download a document list.

PRESS

  • hopefully forthcoming!

 

PARTNERS IN D.C. SCHOOL GARDEN WEEK

As of May 22 , 2008

 

Click here to read about the first DC School Garden Week in 2007.

For more information, email Grace Manubay, DCEEC Schoolyard Greening Committee Chair,
or call 202-236-5856.