REAL School Gardens' community members in both Tarrant and Dallas counties came together recently for two community-building extravaganzas highlighting the learning gardens of two REAL School Gardens’ partner schools. Both of these events celebrated the successes experienced in REAL school gardens during the 2011-2012 school year. Educators as well as other community members including volunteers, partners and contributors were recognized with certificates of appreciation for their dedication to helping REAL School Gardens fulfill its mission of creating learning gardens that grow successful students.
Student-created sign in the garden at REAL People - Tarrant County
On May 10, over 150 people gathered at Holiday Heights Elementary School (Birdville ISD) in North Richland Hills where they enjoyed choral music, garden tours, delicious food from Blue Mesa Grill and took home artwork made by the students. Even the wind could not deter those attending from admiring the school garden. Many Holiday Heights students volunteered at the event, welcoming guests to their school and touring visitors around their beautiful learning garden.
Holiday Heights Student Choir perform at REAL People - Tarrant County
One week later, on May 17 at William Lipscomb Elementary School (Dallas ISD), more than 100 people met for the second of our spring celebratory networking events. Attendees were excited to experience the school's beautifully designed garden, delicious food from Blue Mesa Grill, with the special treat of a concert performed by Lipscomb Elementary student guitarists and choral singers and also took home artwork made by the students.
Living Earth receives the Business Partner of the Year Award at REAL People - Dallas County
The highlight of the both events was the REAL People Awards Ceremony, which acknowledged significant business partner and volunteer accomplishments and honored those schools that excelled in various areas this year.
Here is the list of this year’s award recipients:
Community Outreach Award for Smart Potatoes
An effort by elementary students and teachers to grow potatoes in their school garden to be harvested and donated to their neighborhood food pantries
BRIT SEED School
Angela Buffington
All Smart Potato schools:
ARLINGTON ISD
Fitzgerald Elementary
Foster Elementary
Goodman Elementary
Veda Knox Elementary
BIRDVILLE ISD
The Academy at Carrie F. Thomas
Birdville Elementary
David E. Smith Elementary
Watauga Elementary
DALLAS ISD
Nathan Adams Elementary
Victor H. Hexter Elementary
John J. Pershing Elementary
Harry C. Withers Elementary
FORT WORTH ISD
Bonnie Brae Elementary
Alice Carlson Applied Learning Center
George C. Clarke Elementary
Greenbriar Elementary
H.V. Helbing Elementary
D. McRae Elementary
Meadowbrook Elementary
T.A. Sims Elementary
South Hills Elementary
J.T. Stevens Elementary
I.M. Terrell Elementary
Washington Heights Elementary
Westcliff Elementary
R.J. Wilson Elementary
GRAND PRAIRIE ISD
Barbara Bush Elementary
Florence Hill Elementary
Sam Rayburn Elementary
Business Partner of the Year Award
Provided labor, materials and support to all of the new school gardens installed in the 2011-2012 school year
Manuel Villegas Landscaping
Living Earth
Garden Sustainability Partner of the Year
RainScholars: Deirdre Petty and Debbie Dunbar
Installed rain barrels at all of the new school gardens installed in the 2011-2012 school year
Texas AgriLife Extension Service:
Dr. Dotty Woodson, Program Specialist Water Resources and Jeff Raska, Dallas County 4-H
Installed and taught about drip irrigation at all of the new school gardens installed in the 2011-2012 school year
Community Volunteer of the Year Award
For dedicated, outstanding volunteer service to REAL School Gardens and our school partners
Vanessa Jones, RSG Supporter - Volunteered over 50 hours to REAL School Gardens during the 2011-2012 school year
Glenn Farmer, Dallas County Master Gardener - Volunteer countless hours to the William Lipscomb Elementary school garden
Agriculture Award
For the bountiful produce being grown in their learning garden during the 2011-2012 school year
Meadowbrook Elementary
Victor H. Hexter Elementary
Garden Rejuvenation Award
For empowering their community to better serve their students by renewing features of their learning garden
Sam Rayburn Elementary
Garden Coordinator of the Year Award
For outstanding efforts as Garden Coordinator during the 2011-2012 school year
Ginger Cary, Washington Heights Elementary (Fort Worth ISD)
Stacey Ansley, Barbara Bush Elementary (Grand Prairie ISD)
Stacey Hodge Award for Successful Family and Community Involvement
For embracing and building strong community around their learning garden – recruited over 300 community volunteers for their garden installation
Sidney Lanier Expressive Arts Vanguard
Suzy Peacock Award for Inspired Outdoor Learning
For using their learning garden to encourage the Spirit of Community, Invitation and Hospitality, and Freedom to Create
The Academy of Carrie F. Thomas
Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients!
Pictures from this year’s REAL People Celebratory Networking Events may be found below:
REAL People Event – Tarrant County
REAL People Event – Dallas County