McKinley Elementary School

Our school created the “Octopus’s Garden” in 2007. We installed nine raised beds, trees, a path and a large mosaic of an Octopus that enhances the beauty of the garden.

The garden's broad mission is to help students appreciate nature and understand how food is produced. Each raised bed is reserved for a specific grade level, and one bed is earmarked for the Alchemy restaurant cooking Class. Two beds are used by the Garden Club. The garden also contributes to McKinley's zero waste program by composting the cafeteria vegetable waste.

The goals for the current school year are to compliment the K-3 weekly gardening lessons, add shade for the outdoor classroom, build a new tool shed, and continue existing programs. These programs include the “green club” that composts cafeteria waste, the cooking class with Alchemy restaurant, and the "Kinder-Garden" that provides additional gardening space near kindergarten classes.