PASC - BCSSSD

Our campus serves the special needs of learners with Autism. In September we were granted permission to run the school garden (has been unused for two years). The garden will have multiple functions for our learners. It will be utilized as a vocational program for high school students, teach our learners an age appropriate leisure activity, enhance social skills, provide opportunties for desensitization and food exploration as well as meeting NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards for science, health and nutrition in a hands-on method.

Since we are revamping the garden (it has been unused for two years - former gardeners have retired from our school) to our population's unique needs. Many of our students have difficulty with spatial awareness so I would like to introduce raised beds to delineate where learners should walk or kneel The cost of lumber and soil would consume a large portion of the grant money. Additionally funds would be used to introduce a rainwater collection system adjacent to our garden's shed as well as a composting area and worm box.