Welcome Stoddert Parents, Students, and Staff :

I am excited about meeting each of you either online or in passing in the neighborhood or  around the city.  So much has happened during our transition from outdoor learning to distant learning. Gardening education takes place in an outdoor setting using all our five senses as well as  a place for social emotional learning. 

Our students will continue to learn and attend garden with the use of technology 

• Recorded relevant content specifically as we move into the fall gardening season 
• In home garden activities related to the content or lessons during online learning 
• Storytelling  
• In person garden instruction and student/teacher discussion 
• Mindfulness and physical exercise 
• Food literacy/ recorded/live cooking experiences from my kitchen 

Our school garden mirrors our surrounding social and physical environment 

• Four added rectangular learning spaces 
• Two circular student workplaces 
• A bench (given to me by a Stoddert Parent) for reflection and relaxation named after Statesman and Civil Rights Leader, John Robert Lewis 
• A fallen tree branch which you will find in one of our raised beds depicting the loss of George Floyd with the ever-present message that “Black Lives Matter.” 
• The “Photo Booth” in the Stoddert Garden expressing our life challenges during this pandemic (pictures of faces masked and unmasked) 
• Newly installed raised beds using recycled wood pallets (thanks Terri) 
• Composting bins are now our newly authentic nursery/ acceleration of plant growth 
• Increased gardening interest in our neighborhoods and amongst our staff members (Terri, Nicole, Busick) 
• 200 leafcutter bees coming to the garden in about two weeks. Great for Summer and early fall pollination! 
• Stoddert Garden Saturday… stay posted! 

Your questions, comments, suggestions, and volunteerism are appreciated. 

*Ask about garden tours (social distancing proper). 

All students and parents are encouraged to visit the garden . 

Mr. Canada