Going forward, Centre Ridge Elementary School will incorporate vegetables into the classroom as well as the cafeteria, thanks to a newly installed garden.
A “learning garden” from the nonprofit Captain Planet Foundation was unveiled at the Centreville school yesterday (Thursday). Built by a group of sixth-grade students and donated by Cox Enterprises, the conglomerate that owns the broadband company Cox Communications, the vegetable and herb garden will serve as an educational tool, while also providing access to produce.
“Our school is excited to introduce a learning garden to enhance outdoor education and deepen our students’ understanding of environmental stewardship,” Centre Ridge principal Jennifer Hertzberg said in a press release. “By engaging directly with nature, students will learn about sustainable practices and the importance of caring for our planet.”
The school won the garden in an online grant contest conducted by Captain Planet Foundation last winter.
Founded in 1991, the foundation offers programs designed to educate young people about the planet and encourage them to engage with the environment. The foundation’s Project Learning Garden has provided gardens to over 700 U.S. elementary schools, according to the press release.
The unveiling celebration was attended by Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid and various local and state elected officials.
The full press release from Cox Enterprises is below.
Today Cox Enterprises, parent company of Cox Communications, celebrated its donation of a Captain Planet Foundation Project Learning Garden to Centre Ridge Elementary School in Centreville, VA. A group of 6th grade students installed the learning garden by building five raised garden beds, filling them with organic soil and planting a variety of vegetables and herbs. The event was attended by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michelle Reid, Virginia State Senator Stella Pekarsky, Virginia State Delegate Dan Helmer, Fairfax County School Board members Kyle McDaniel and Seema Dixit, and representatives from Fairfax County. It was also attended by local garden supporters, associates from Cox Enterprises and the Captain Planet Foundation.
The garden donation is part of a comprehensive partnership with the Captain Planet Foundation. Cox has supported the Captain Planet Foundation for many years and has recently focused on Project Learning Garden (PLG) as a seed funder of the Rejuvenation Grant Program in 2022 and this current initiative. Centre Ridge Elementary School applied for Project Learning Garden through an online grant contest last winter.
Project Learning Garden is comprised of easy-to-assemble raised garden beds, soil, and seeds. The school also receives literacy and science learning supplies and tools to take learning into the garden. Educators are given thematic activities centered in standards and learning outcomes. A library of garden guides and tips for growing, harvesting, composting, cooking with kids, and more is also part of the garden program. Schools with learning gardens report that students benefit from learning about nutrition and science, along with social studies, math, and language arts. They can expand their palates, taste-test healthy foods and learn about the origins of what they grow.
“Project Learning Garden is a great fit for Cox as we aim to empower 34 million people to live more prosperous lives by 2034,” stated Kathryn Falk, Market Vice President, Northern Virginia, Cox Communications. “Cox is dedicated to making a positive impact in the communities that we serve. Project Learning Garden makes a huge impact for kids at their schools; inspiring them with a direct connection to nature, environmental education, and healthy living.”
“So many subjects can be taught in the garden and hands-on garden learning is an excellent way to support student understanding of natural systems, food origins, and healthy eating,” explained Leesa Carter, President & CEO of Captain Planet Foundation. “Captain Planet Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that kids are armed with an understanding of the natural world in which they live, and we are thrilled to be partnering with Cox on Project Learning Garden.”
“Our school is excited to introduce a learning garden to enhance outdoor education and deepen our students’ understanding of environmental stewardship. By engaging directly with nature, students will learn about sustainable practices and the importance of caring for our planet,” shared Jennifer Hertzberg, Principal, Centre Ridge Elementary School. “The garden will be integrated into the curriculum across all grade levels, providing hands-on experiences that connect to science, math, and literacy. Through inquiry-based learning, students will be encouraged to ask questions, conduct investigations, and engage with the natural world, nurturing their curiosity and critical thinking abilities. Additionally, the garden will serve as a wonderful entry point to explore the diverse cultural identities represented within our school, allowing us to celebrate a variety of traditions, foods, and practices related to gardening and nature.”
