Down and Dirty: Garden Club Formed at Manassas Park Middle

In the warm, fall sunshine students and faculty at Manassas Park Middle School began work on the new Garden Club project Wednesday.

Four large beds assembled by maintenance supervisor Paul Simpson waited for attention from the students. “I have wanted to do this for years,” eighth science teacher Carrie Reardon said.  “I want the children to experience what it’s like to see plants grow, learn about pollination or all the other lessons that go with working on a garden.”

Two students enthusiastically pitched in with the spreading of hay and soil in the newly-created raised beds next to the school.

In the spring, members of the Garden Club will decide what to plant in the raised beds. “I want to plant flowers to make the school pretty,”  club member Stephanie Silva said. Any vegetables, flowers or fruit grown in the garden will be used in the school.

Cafeteria workers and Family Consumer Science students can use the produce. “I want the kids to feel a sense of ownership and pride in their garden,” Reardon said. “I think it will give them a sense of responsibility that we cannot teach in the classroom.”

Reardon said this real-word lesson was urged on by the support of Dr. Bruce McDade, superintendent of Manassas Park City Schools, Manassas Middle Principal Eric Neff and Vice Principal Pam Burkhalter.