REAL school gardens are stimulating,
inviting and beautiful spaces that encourage a child's learning across subject
matters. They are unique outdoor
classrooms designed to provide hands-on, experiential learning opportunities
for elementary-aged children. This
real-world learning can be integrated into all academic subject areas and has
been shown to benefit children by boosting academic achievement, nurturing
healthy lifestyles, cultivating life skills and promoting environmental
stewardship.
Do you know of a North Texas elementary
school whose students would benefit from having an outdoor learning classroom
(school garden) at their school? Well
here’s your chance to make that dream a reality! REAL School Gardens’ partner application
process is now open!
Currently, REAL School Gardens serves over
90 schools in five major districts: Arlington ISD, Birdville ISD, Dallas ISD,
Fort Worth ISD and Grand Prairie ISD. Applications
are accepted year round and are currently being accepted from those 5 partner
districts. If you are a school in one of
our partner districts that is passionate about engaging children outdoors, and
at least 70% of your student population participates in the free and reduced
lunch program, please complete an application and submit it to Scott Feille at
REAL School Gardens (sfeille@realschoolgardens.org).
*If your school IS NOT in one of our five partner districts, please contact
Scott Feille sfeille@realschoolgardens.org and provide 1) your name 2) your position 3) your email and phone# 4) school name 5) district name, and 6) the
percentage of students you serve who receive free and reduced lunch. We will provide you with information
regarding our additional services and information regarding how your district
can become a partner.
An electronic (Microsoft Word) version of the application is
available for download here. The next
review of applications will begin November 1, 2012 with interviews of select
schools to follow. A timeline is
included for your convenience.
| | Year 1 | Years 2 and 3 | Established |
| Year-Round | REAL School Gardens accepting
applications | Educator
Training: - Individualized onsite teacher
training
- Cohort training with other
schools joining in 2013-2014 (Year
3 only)
- Garden
Coordinator training three times annually (stipend provided contingent
upon funding)
Community
Networking Events:
Bring together educators and community advocates
Garden Support:
Guidance and materials for planting and maintenance | - Trained educators are
actively using the garden
- Strong community partnerships
sustain the garden
- The option to purchase
ongoing network support after first three years of partnership
|
| October 31, 2012 | Applications due for fall review |
| Starting November 1,
2012 | Applications received by October 31 are reviewed |
| By November 30, 2012 | Interviews are scheduled with top
applicants |
| By January 15, 2013 | REAL School Gardens conducts on-campus interviews
|
| By February 15, 2013 | Schools are notified regarding partnership;
Design and Dine scheduled for May,
2012 |
| May 2013 or Fall 2013
| Design and Dine gatherings with new
school partners |
| Fall 2013 or Spring 2014 | Gardens are installed |
| June 2014 | Full staff trained onsite; full day | | |
REAL School
Gardens’ partner schools receive up to three years of support, ensuring that
learning gardens become a central part of the school’s teaching culture and
community. During the first year, each
partner school is led through a community design process which begins with a
Design and Dine gathering and culminates in the installation of a learning
garden and an onsite, school-wide professional development day. For the ensuing two years - provided your
school demonstrates a continued commitment to your learning garden - REAL School Gardens continues to offer garden support
as needed, professional development, and multiple opportunities for networking
with other schools throughout North Texas.
REAL School Gardens is committed to providing rigorous, standards-based
professional development throughout the three-year partnership. By aligning garden-based lessons with
specific TEKS across grade levels and across subject areas, we help educators
make outdoor learning a regular part of their practice and not simply something
“extra.”
“The garden is central because we do reading, writing, and arithmetic out there. Every day we’re collecting scientific data…When students fertilize, they learn about volume, ratio, and rates of applications. It’s a very integrated curriculum with math and science.”
– Educator with a REAL school garden
You may download an electronic (Microsoft Word) version of the application here. The next
review of applications will begin November 1, 2012 with interviews of select
schools to follow.
If you have any questions, you may
contact Scott Feille, Program Director at 817.348.8680 or at sfeille@realschoolgardens.org.