Swansboro Elementary School

Swansboro seeks creative and holistic ways to enrich the learning of our students while creating opportunities to improve the health of its students and the community. This garden provides a unique opportunity to accomplish a variety of goals in a focused coordinated way. Created as certified wildlife habitat, the garden helps urban youngsters unplug from media influences and connect with nature. It provides real-life examples of concepts from the natural sciences for teachers and fosters cooperative social action among students. The new emphasis on Healthy Food 4 Healthy Lifestyles will promote basic nutrition, sound health practices, and a physically active lifestyle. The health initiative will harness positive peer pressure to support healthy food choices and increased physical activity. For a significantly under resourced school like Swansboro, a vegetable garden can also incentivize parent participation and build broad support for the school beyond the garden.