Large Courtyard Gets Some "Helping Hands"

Only Thursday July 24th, 17 student and 7 adult volunteers spent some time getting our large courtyard ready for the new school year. The group overcame such obstacles as terrible traffic on I-95 and colossal thunder storms to help us stay on top of the weeds in the picnic table area used for lunch (by reservation) and as outdoor classroom space.  The volunteers worked hard and fast, and got so much accomplished in a short amount of time. 

Helping Hands is a mission opportunity for rising 4th, 5th, and 6th graders in Methodist churches across Virginia.  175 students came from several churches around Virginia to participate.  It is hosted by Woodlake United Methodist Church.   It's a two-day program that takes students to 30 sites in the Richmond area to rake, paint, pull weeds, feed the hungry, clean streams, sort donated items at thrift stores and more.  Thank you Helping Hands and Woodlake UMC, we are grateful for your help!

 

Clothing to Cash Wrap-Up

I know, I know, it's summer now, and school is not on your mind.  BUT, we have receive the final June numbers for our Clothing to Cash program so here is a quick summary of how this program went, from March when we first set out the bins, until the end of June.  Guess how many pounds we collected during that time.  It's higher than you think!  We collected 3,404 pounds of clothing, shoes, linens, and towels during that time.  The school earns 10 cents per pound, AND we earned multiple bonuses for being one of the highest collectors in the Richmond area.  So, this program earned the school almost $500 just for those few months.  Those unwanted items will be recycled, and we have some super clean closets!  It's a win-win-win.  Since it's been so successful, we've decided to keep the bin year-round.  So, take an hour this summer and clean out a closet with your children, and bring the unwanted items up to our school's bin.  If you don't get around to it, don't worry, the bin will be there whenever you do!  Thank you so much for your support. 

Small Courtyard Beautification

Tons of work has been done in the small courtyard over the past month.  A special thanks to Joelle Hawkins and Denise Dunn for everything they have done to make this space so special, peaceful, and chock full of educational opportunities! 

 

 

 The new work included:

-Five raised beds with flowers and vegetables planted

-Each bed has a theme, such as rainbow garden, plants with animal names, and sensory learning

-Sod planted and new student and teacher benches installed for the class learning area

-Weather station refurbished

-Encroaching weeds and vines trimmed back

-A large rock reading/sitting circle encompasses the dogwood tree

-Bird houses donated from the girls scouts

-Fish pond cleared and feeding schedule established (thank you to Mrs. Shoop's class)

-The fennel (which is a host for butterflies) had 2 caterpillars "nesting".

 

 

 A calendar has been posted at the entrance to the small courtyard for teachers to sign up for a specific time for their classes to use it.  The second graders have already found it to be the perfect place to release the butterflies they have been observing in their classrooms!

 

Students that use the small courtyard should not step in any of the raised beds or inside of the rocks that border the pond.  Also, please do not throw anything (rocks, mulch, leaves) into the pond.  Thank you for helping keep our small courtyard nice.  We are so proud of both of our newly refurbished courtyards!