Calabasas Elementary
The discovery garden at Calabasas Elementary School in Watsonville integrates science based lessons in the after-school garden program to reinforce classroom curriculum. The garden space is an outlet for students to explore nature, grow organic food and cultivate a passion for learning. As 96% of the families are Latino at Calabasas Elementary there is a strong emphasis on cultural connection to the land in growing crops that are meaningful to their heritage. Three sisters: corn, beans and squash is planted in the spring with the story of the special relationship of the inter-crop shared through a play. With this funding we would be able to have better resources for strengthening the growing program and have the potential to grow organic food for the after-school cooking class, have more opportunities for outreaching to our families, and build on curriculum with more activities such as building a bat box, insect hotel, vertical gardening, rain-catch system and more.