Underwood Elementary

The Underwood School Garden has been a staple of our school community for almost 20 years! The space was created by Missy Costello and Janet Springfield (two fifth grade teachers) to provide students with an understanding of science and to have an “outdoor classroom.”

Each spring, every student in our building has the opportunity to plant something in one of six raised beds. The process connects outdoor learning with the indoor curriculum. Kindergarten has an “ABC” bed, first grade is a “Rainbow Garden”, second grade is “Butterfly”, third has an “Array”, fourth grade is a “Sensory Garden” and fifth grade is “Made in the Shade.” In the past we have also had a “Great Grains” and “Community Feeding” bed.

The Garden is supported by two lead teachers, Andy Gluck and Eileen Mullarkey, as well as other building staff and parent volunteers. Another unique element to our Garden is a comprehensive composting program. Each classroom has a container with food waste from snack time that they bring out to our homemade composter. We also collect food scraps from each lunch period. The rich soil is then used for planting in the spring.