Green Apple Day of Service 4-30-2017

Once more, parent, faculty, and students (mostly members of the Environmental Cabinet of the Student Leadership Council) came together for a service day in the school courtyards and grounds.  Green Apple Day is an international initiative of the US Green Building Council to encourage volunteering at schools.  The intention is to promote environmental awareness and improve the learning environment. 

Twenty-five volunteers worked on projects in the two school courtyards, the front entrance, and in an outdoor classroom in the front of the school.  The restoration of the courtyards has been a multi-year project that is now under maintenance.  The outdoor classroom had been neglected and was therefore not often used.  The barrel planters from last year's green apple project were weeded and mulched, and colorful annuals were planted at the school's front entrance.

In the small courtyard, weeds and overgrown plants were removed or trimmed, a few new plants were added to replace dead plants, the grass was cut, and new mulch was laid.  The mulch for the courtyards was donated by Home Depot on Hull Street.  Thank you for always being such a help to our school! 

Small courtyard before the service day:

 

 

Small courtyard during and after the service day:
 



Bird's nest with 2 baby birds found in a planter

 

In the large courtyard, weeds that grow in the paths and had overtaken the Chesapeake Bayscape area as well as a few of the boat planters were removed.  New plants, most of which were donated by parents and some of which were purchased at a donated discount by Great Big Greenhouse, were planted to fill gaps.  Donated seashells were placed around the Bayscape area for effect. 

 

Large Courtyard during and after:

 

 






 

In the outdoor classroom, the benches and podium were repaired, cleaned, and stained.  New shrubs were planted around the podium.  Mulch courtesy of Chesterfield County Public Schools was spread around the benches where the soil type and shade prevent grass from growing.

 

Outdoor classroom before:

 



Before cleaning

Outdoor classroom during and after:

 

After cleaning

 

Annuals at front entrance:

 

 

A big thank you to Robbie Roach with HG Landscaping for his assistance in the planning and plant selection. Thank you also to Walmart on Hull Street for your gift card donation that went towards potting soil, water and snacks, and new watering cans.

 

Our school is now ready for some great outdoor learning and environmental awareness!