River Gate Elementary School

The River Gate Garden was established to enhance student learning with a hands on laboratory. As an extension to the science program for our 790 students, the garden serves as a permanently placed "growing" part of our school that provides opportunities for students to understand where food comes from. They see the effects of the topics discussed in class first hand as the soil, water, and seeds work together to produce flowers and vegetables from one week to the next.

The Garden has also been used as an opportunity to support the school's character education initiative. Items that are grown in the garden are donated to local families that are in need. Vegetables have also been donated to the King's Kitchen. This restaraunt is a local not for profit restaraunt that employs people who have experienced challenges obtaining employment. Proceeds go to back into the community. The garden experiences emphasizes character traits of citizenship, responsibility and caring.

This program is supported by PTA NORTH CAROLINA CONGRESS OF PARENTS AND TEACHERS.