Princeton Friends School

Our garden's goal is primarily to create access for young students (beginning with 3rd grade) to make myriad connections between what happens within the classroom to what happens outside. Our school's Quaker foundation means that we begin this project with awareness of the importance of direct experience and observation as we encourage students to reach a deeper understanding of the value of stewardship and their connection to their inner selves as well as others. Our garden, as part of our larger sustainability effort, will be the cornerstone of sustainability of our school, our connection to our community, and our connection to the planet. In every discipline, the garden will provide opportunity for deeper connection by engaging students in a physical, sensory experience. The garden will enhance students' writing by enabling teachers to work with the coordinator to grow plants found in key texts, for example, or by providing a diversity of opportunities to write descriptively; likewise, in math, science, central study, graphic design, Spanish, and Chinese.