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McDonald School's gardens, Fall 2010
Debbie Bell, second grade teacher at McDonald Elementary School sent us the following update about the school's use of its 2010 Circle grant:

Our school has been proactive in supporting this project this past school year.  The purpose of this project continues to enhance the outdoor classroom at McDonald Elementary. In doing so, we can continue to provide an  integrated teaching style and an alternate learning environment for both faculty and students.

The following is a list of volunteer groups who have made this project a success:
  • Backyard Harvest – Amy Grey, Director
  • Adventure Club – Moscow School District
  • Brad and Kate Jaeckel – McDonald School parents
  • Saturday of Service – University of Idaho Volunteer Services
  • Make A Difference – University of Idaho Volunteer Services
  • Brian Carhart and Karen Trippei – McDonald School Teachers
Wish list for the future:
  • Greenhouse - $1,200
  • Grow lights for the classrooms - $500
  • McDonald School Garden sign - $150
Contact information: If anyone is interested in donating items or volunteer their services you may contact me at:

belld@msd281.org

Thank you again for all your support.

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What have our 2009-2010 grantees used Circle funding to accomplish? 

Each year, we ask our grantees to provide us with a brief update, photos if appropriate, and a wish list of opportunities for volunteering or additional support.  We  haven't heard from everyone yet, but I wanted to fill you in on some of the projects that our nonprofit partners have undertaken with the funds that you provided last year.  Over the next few blog posts, I'll share summaries of the work made possible by your funding.
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Mrs. Branen and her greenhouse-building kindergarteners! Circle funds made this project possible.

Palouse Prairie School:

Palouse Prairie School is a non-tuition based public charter school.  Our goals are to engage children and the community of the Palouse in an inspiring and collaborative education of the highest standards by following the educational design principles of Expeditionary Learning. 

Last semester, nineteen kindergarten students embarked on a semester long expedition called, "Feed from Seed."  There were two components of this project; students learned about the characteristics of plants and they were involved in building a greenhouse for Palouse Prairie School.  The students collected 1500 2-liter bottles from the Moscow Recycling Center.  Washington State University Architecture students were integrated into the program as part of a service learning project.  The entire architecture class spent a day with the kindergarten students in building the walls of the greenhouse. 

After completion of the greenhouse, students grew vegetables for Backyard Harvest, a local non-profit fresh food bank.  Students presented their produce to Backyard Harvest and the greenhouse will provide many opportunities for student engagement for the years to come. Volunteer opportunities: Palouse Prairie School-  teaching children about planting and growing  teaching children about plants, gardening, farming, etc.

Wish List:
1. worm bin
2. soil
3. terra cotta pots
4. Garden tools: trowel

Contact:  Jeneille Branen  jbranen@palouseprairieschool.org
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