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Forestdale students gain outdoor classroom as 'Together We Grow' garden opens
Summary
The Forestdale 'Together We Grow' garden—built with 32 beds, irrigation, frog ponds and a PTA-funded shed—will give students daily outdoor lessons and is planned to remain active through the summer with community partners helping stewardship.
Forestdale School leaders and the garden committee presented the new "Together We Grow" learning garden, a hands-on outdoor classroom the district said will be accessible to every classroom and used regularly during the school year.
The garden committee said planning began in 2024–25 and built a space with 32 garden beds (one for each classroom), two frog ponds, seven birdhouses, irrigation and a PTA-funded shed. Committee members described a "mindfulness path," seating for lessons and planting that supports cross-curricular activities such as observational writing, math and science.
"This garden is a space where we nurture curiosity, connection and a sense of belonging," Dr. Marushek told the committee during a short presentation. Committee members and volunteers highlighted strawberry harvests, sunflower and tomato plantings and early steps to connect garden learning with cafeteria and nutrition lessons.
Summer stewardship and accessibility: Presenters said irrigation is a key improvement over past gardens and will allow continued growing through the summer. The garden committee plans to solicit partners—such as the Sandwich Women’s Club and other community groups—to help maintain beds while school is out. Administrators emphasized the garden is meant to be accessible to all learners and to be integrated into social-emotional and curriculum work.
What was asked and what comes next: Committee members asked about daily access and plans for seed-starting earlier in spring; garden organizers said they are building the schedule into next year’s Wednesday early-dismissal plans so classrooms can work outdoors more consistently. Administrators and committee volunteers will continue summer planning for stewardship and potential cafeteria connections.
