hings are done a little differently at Southern Delaware School of the Arts in Selbyville, Del. There are no gym classes, but there are classes in drama and dance, in addition to vocal and instrumental music and band. And, beginning this fall, there will be another feature that sets SDSA apart from the rest: an all-natural greenhouse and garden, thanks to a grant from the Chichester DuPont Foundation.
Dr. Kim Furtado is part of the staff of the Delmarva Community Wellnet and has been leading the School Nutrition Advisory Committee, a program aimed at improving nutrition for children in Delaware, which has also been piloted at SDSA.
This past year, fourth-grade teacher Lauren Grise realized that every grade level teaches something about growth. She also discovered that a small outdoor peninsula, surrounded by exterior walls on three sides, served as a wonderful acoustic space. The concept of an outdoor learning space began to take shape.
“I think it’s going to be very beneficial to all students and the teachers,” said Grise.
Furtado said there will be several components to the space, including an outdoor classroom, a greenhouse, a garden and spaces with a “habitat-based approach,” including a meadow, woodland area and rain garden.
“Each class will get their own raised bed,” she said, explaining that those classes can make decisions about what type of plants they’d like to see grow and develop.
The construction and development of the space will begin over the summer, with parent volunteers. During the school year, it will all be maintained by students, volunteers and Furtado, who will serve as the director for the site for at least the first year.
“This is like a continuation,” said Grise, of the project.
In its first year, back in 1997, a butterfly garden was planted at SDSA and featured stepping stones created by students and decorated with small pieces of tile and colored glass. A short while ago, third-grade teacher Amanda Carmean added to that area with trees; and, in the last year, raised beds were planted with flowers and other plants. Grise said the plan was to incorporate some of what already existed.
Furtado said the garden will be completely organic, with no artificial fertilizers or pesticides. All-natural compost will be used – one that is created on-site – and students will learn about the natural benefits of helpful insects and animal life.
Students will also be taught all the gardening basics, including weeding, thinning out plants, companion planting and harvesting plants that produce something, such as fruits and vegetables. Furtado said she hopes students are able to learn more about where their food actually comes from through activities like this.
“Children in Sussex County come from an agricultural background,” she said.
Furtado is encouraging all teachers to incorporate the garden into their curriculum in whatever ways they see is best and said garden activities will include small group interaction, rules and the opportunity for the children to get their hands dirty and will function as an “experiential outdoor classroom.”
The area will include a focal point for instruction to take place and a shed with enough tools for 30 students, which is more than in any one SDSA classroom.
Amanda Carmean said her third-graders will get a lot of use out of the space because their science units include the human body, earth materials and water – all topics that can be supplemented with work outdoors and in a garden where food is grown.
“I’ve very excited,” she said. “I think it’s going to be a great addition to our school.”
