Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary School students Josie Salgueiro and Arlo Worthy check the health of sorrel Friday morning in the school’s living classroom.
The living classroom is one of six gardens at the school. Students and staff are preparing for Sunday’s Community Garden Work Day. Santa Cruz Gardens is in its third year as a recognized Ocean Guardian School, focused on watershed stewardship and advocacy, managed by NOAA’s office of National Marine Sanctuaries. Part of being honored as an Ocean Guardian School means it needs to conduct external outreach to share with the community ways to protect local watersheds. Community Garden days fit that bill perfectly. Other than the living classroom, the school also boasts pollinator, native bird, sensory, sage and kinder gardens, all of which are maintained by Santa Cruz Gardens students.
Fourth grader Ellie Andes said, “Helping out with nature and plants proves that kids can make a difference in the world.” Sunday’s event will include garden tours, healthy food and workshops.
Santa Cruz Gardens fifth grader Jane Salgueiro practices giving a tour on Friday of the sensory garden she has lovingly tended to as the school prepares for Sunday’s Community Garden Work Day. (Shmuel Thaler – Santa Cruz Sentinel)
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