95445a0d237d4ad7fddf320072826df9.jpg

MANVILLE: Eighth-graders plant a new tradition

By Mary Ellen Zangara, Special Writer
   The Alexander Batcho Intermediate School Class of 2011 started a new tradition that will be carried on for years. The eighth-grade class planted a community garden on Saturday in the courtyard at Manville High School. The class was joined by parents, staff and friends.
   ”This is the first time that we are planting a community garden and it is going to be open to the public complete throughout the summer. All the plants that the kids are going to plant in here, they started from seed. It is the Class of 2011 Community Garden so it will be here and it will be maintained by the rest of the eighth-grade classes as they come up but it was started by the Class of 2011,” said eighth-grade science teacher Lauren Kurzius.
   The plants were grown in Ms. Kurzius’ science classes as part of their curriculum.
   ”It is part of the curriculum and it is also something I felt would be nice for the kids to get more involved in their community and to be aware that gardening and farming should be a part of growing up to understand that when you grow something with your hands, it means more than to just go and purchase. It is also character development for them, too,” she said.
   During the three hours from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., students brought out their gardening tools, rakes, shovels and gloves and got down and dirty. The students put all of their vegetables, fruits and herbs into this garden. The garden will be open all summer for those who wish to harvest crops.
   The students also beautified the patio at ABIS by planting annuals and painting benches.
   Eighth grader Leah Alpaugh was one of the gardeners.
   ”The garden is a really good cause for the school and it is going to help with the eighth-grade project that we are about to start preparing for. We are going to be making our own salad dressing and making our own salads. It goes for a really good cause because it is nice to have some pride. When you go outside, you can look at the beautiful garden that we made,” she said.
   For more information about the garden, how to see it, or harvest the crops when ready, contact Ms. Kurzius at [email protected].