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FedEx Delivers For Kids And The Environment

Friday, May 10, 2013 | Filed under School Garden Installation , Community , Family Activities , REAL Supporters

Sarah Geer is Director of Foundation and Individual Relations, REAL School Gardens

On April 27, more than 100 FedEx volunteers completed a very special same-day delivery: they created a sustainable learning garden in the span of one day.

For the 612 students at Dr. Barbara Jordan Elementary in Dallas, this garden will help them connect with their lessons – and the environment – in a new and meaningful way. FedEx volunteers applied their expertise in efficiency to make quick work of numerous projects, including: tilling the ground, depositing wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow of soil in garden beds, erecting a grape arbor, ...

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Mother Knows Best

Tuesday, March 19, 2013 | Filed under Volunteering , Community , Family Activities

As a college student, I can be the first to admit that I spend way too much time inside, glued to a computer screen, or texting on my cell phone. Adults struggle with getting outdoors and in turn, children are having the same struggle. Ronda Grimes, in the video posted below, gets right to the point when she says that our children are living in a world of technology that hinders their ability to get outside and actually enjoy that time outdoors. Here at REAL School Gardens, we think it's not only important for kids to be outdoors but ...

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Monarch Migration - The Great Mystery

Tuesday, February 19, 2013 | Filed under Environmental Stewardship , Community , Family Activities , Science

Most people probably remember learning about butterflies early in their elementary careers. I remember lessons about butterfly metamorphosis and our teacher purchasing a butterfly habitat for the classroom, but there is one mystery about butterflies that still fascinates students, researchers, and teachers through the years. The Monarch Migration takes place every year during the spring and fall when millions of monarch butterflies make their way from Canada to Mexico and back again. This magnificent spectacle has caught the eye of many onlookers, and recently of IMAX filmmakers.

Flight of the Butterflies is a compelling and awe-inspiring 3D film that ...

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DIY in DFW: 5 Projects to Prep for Spring!

Wednesday, January 09, 2013 | Filed under Environmental Stewardship , Community , Family Activities

It may be January, but we're ready to get growing! Check out these 5 projects to prep for springtime, in the garden or inside!

1) If you're bundled up inside with no interest in venturing out to garden just yet, why not make yourself an indoor tabletop water garden? Helpful instructions and tips from Megan of radmegan: in words and pictures to get this project underway:

2) Upcycle those broken tools in the shed and revamp them into a trellis for climbing vines:

Photo credit: Better Homes and Gardens

3) Do the dirty work of prepping your soil for spring. ...

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Blue Mesa Grill Dinner Benefiting Pershing Elementary's REAL School Garden

Tuesday, November 13, 2012 | Filed under Sustainability and Funding , Health and Nutrition , Community , Family Activities , REAL Supporters

Community Night is an opportunity for schools or not-for-profit groups to have a great fundraiser at Blue Mesa Grill. This Thursday evening, November 15, 2012 at 6:30 pm, Blue Mesa Grill in Addison is hosting a Community Night dinner benefiting the REAL school learning garden at John J. Pershing Elementary (Dallas ISD).

All friends and community members are invited to enjoy creations featuring spinach, lettuce and cilantro grown in the REAL school garden at John J. Pershing Elementary. Dinner will be $20.00 per person with 25% of the proceeds donated back to the Pershing school learning ...

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When I Grow Up: This Apple Didn't Fall Too Far from the Tree

Tuesday, September 25, 2012 | Filed under Environmental Stewardship , Student Behavior , Health and Nutrition , Family Activities

I had an epiphany when an acquaintance described himself as the “green sheep” of his family. “Wow,” I thought,” that’s what I am!”

It wasn’t until they read an article recently published in Dallas Child magazine that my family seemed to finally understand what it is that REAL School Gardens does and why we do it. They seemed to think I spend my days digging in dirt, trying to convince elementary students to eat their veggies. Of course, the vegetables are an important part, but a small part, of our efforts to increase student engagement ...

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Putting Down Roots: Family Fun in The Fall

Thursday, September 06, 2012 | Filed under Family Activities

Are you ready? Can you feel it? The end of summer is just around the corner. For my family this means connecting with nature. We try to go hiking and explore new parks, but the hot Texas sun can often be discouraging. Autumn fills my soul and opens my heart, because it allows me to do what I love--being out in nature with my family. The smells, colors and of course the cooler weather!

All of a sudden I will not be able to get my children to come in from the backyard or down from a tree. As ...

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A Blooming Partnership Between REAL School Gardens and Paper Hat Press

Friday, August 10, 2012 | Filed under Sustainability and Funding , Language Arts , Art in the Garden , Family Activities

We are excited to announce a new partnership with Paper Hat Press, a publisher of beautiful personalized children's books. Paper Hat Press shares our mission of sparking children’s imaginations as they encourage a love of reading while showing a child how special they are. In honor of our “blooming” partnership, we wanted to highlight the amazing illustrations of flowers by Paper Hat Press artists.

In Paper Hat Press’ title, Little Sparkle, the beautiful Sparkle girl flies over lovely Purple Sensation allium flowers, pictured below.

(Photo courtesy of Paper Hat Press)

On another beautifully illustrated page, ...

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The Best Family Memories Begin Outdoors

Friday, June 22, 2012 | Filed under Community , Family Activities

Last month I was lucky enough to join the REAL School Gardens staff as a summer intern. I’ve only been here a month, but I’ve already experienced things that changed the way I look at education, food, sustainability, and most recently, families.

Last week I joined some of the staff members and volunteers from Citi at John J. Pershing Elementary in Dallas for a garden rejuvenation. One of the things that struck me most was seeing the Citi employees who brought their family members along.

There were teenagers painting murals with their mom, a son helping his dad fill ...

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REAL Stories: Thank You REAL School Gardens Volunteers!

Wednesday, May 30, 2012 | Filed under Volunteering , Environmental Stewardship , Educators , Community , Family Activities , REAL Supporters

Volunteers are found at the core of every successful nonprofit organization, and REAL School Gardens is no exception to that. Without the dedicated service offered by our community volunteers, we would be much further away from accomplishing our mission of creating learning gardens that grow successful students. REAL School Gardens would like to send out a well-deserved, special “Thank You” to each individual who has generously donated their time and service to help install and sustain beautiful, dynamic school gardens, provide garden support for North Texas elementary schools and administrative and special event support to REAL School Gardens. Our ...

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