ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, April 27, 1996 TAG: 9604290033
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KATHY LU STAFF WRITER
PLANTS, HERBS AND MULCH are just a few of the items students worked with in constructing their WonderGarden.
Despite ominous gray clouds and a teeth-chattering wind, students at Clearbrook Elementary School forged ahead with their Earth Day 1996 celebration Friday afternoon by planting their ``WonderGarden'' - complete with bird houses and mulch.
"The garden will become an outdoor classroom and enhance our science curriculum," Principal Cristina Flippen said. "All the areas of the garden are integrated with the standard of learning in Virginia, and we'll probably also use it to teach math, art and even social studies."
The idea for creating a garden came from Annette Meyer, who has three children at the Roanoke County school. She said the thought has been kicking around in her head for a long time.
"My objective was to give students and teachers an alternative to the traditional classroom," she said. "This is a good opportunity for kids to get hands-on experience, and I'm glad to see that they're so excited to see the steps of the garden unfold."
Activities for the day included learning about the weather, starting a garden, and building crafts for the garden, such as birdhouses and plant markers. Several parents volunteered, as did employees from local businesses that contributed materials for the project.
Costs of the garden were covered by grants and donations from businesses and profits from the sale of Earth Day T-shirts.
"I think we're only helping ourselves and the environment in doing things like this," said Tony Allgood, a Wal-Mart employee who came on his lunch break. "Nothing beats putting your hands in the dirt like this."
And boy, did the children like the dirt.
"This is my favorite part," many students said as they dug holes for plants or ran to refill their buckets with mulch to cover the plants.
"I've planted things before, but this is even more fun because it's my birthday," said fourth-grader Erin Simmons, who planted an oregano sprout. "It's not really hard. Now I just have to watch the plant grow."
Fifth-graders Elisha Austin and Luke Nichols got to try their hand at making a birdhouse.
"I've built lots of birdhouses for my house before," Luke said. "But this is the best part of the day for me."
The PTA Grounds Beautification Committee will be responsible for maintaining the garden, while the school custodians will water it. Flippen hopes to add to the garden every year.
"I think this is a great way to teach the children responsibility and to have them take pride in seeing what they've done," said Julie Dill, another Wal-Mart employee.
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: WAYNE DEEL/Staff. Clearbrook Elementary Schoolby CNBsecond-graders Christopher Sawyer (left) and Bradley Moore (right)
plant flowers with school mom Melissa Bennett.