The
Garden of Learning was built in 2004 for the children of St. Perpetua.
It was created and designed to enhance classroom curriculum by
fostering a sense of wonder for all things in nature and an appreciation
for organic gardening.
Our
"little Master Gardeners" are involved in every aspect of gardening -
- sowing seeds, planting seedlings, cultivating, then harvesting the
fruits of their labors. Every child at St. Perpetua School attends
organic gardening lessons in the garden. For example, first graders
learn that our pesticide and our chemical-free environment allows the
good bugs to survive and eat the bad bugs. Second, third, and fourth
grade students learn that our garden is fertilized only with compost and
that composting helps reduce landfills. Fifth graders' science
curriculum regarding plant production will be integrated into a hands-on
experience in the Garden. Our junior high students not only help
maintain the garden, but learn about local, seasonal crops; that their
produce doesn't need to travel hundreds or even thousands of miles.
In
addition to providing hands-on science and environmental lessons, our
garden inspires artistic expression. Hand-painted signs, rocks, tables
and benches, decorative flags, and mosaic creations adorn our garden.
Before graduating, our eighth graders create stepping-stones using
special keepsakes from home.
We
are first and foremost a Catholic school, so our garden is most
importantly a place of prayer and reflection. The Stations of the Cross
were created by a seventh grade art class and occupy a place of honor
in the Garden and Are used for outside prayer services during Lent.
One Cup of Coffee at a Time
Cafe Perpetua was established on the school campus as a fund-raising tool to support the Garden of Learning.
The
Cafe is normally open on Friday mornings during the school year from 7:20 - 9:30
a.m. Teachers, staff, parents, parishioners, and alumni parents linger
over morning lattes and homemade breakfast fare in a warm, friendly
setting.
The
Cafe also stocks culinary delights created by the children from produce
grown in the Garden. The children are so pleased when they learn to
cook dishes from their own organically grown crops. They are proud to
contribute to the Garden's continued growth through the sales of their
lovingly prepared goodies. Favorites are zucchini and pumpkin breads,
apple cakes, minestrone soup, basil pesto, and salsas.
In
addition to generous donations from individuals in the school and
parish communities, Cafe Perpetua is the main financial support of the
Garden of Learning.
The
Garden also hosts preschool tours in the fall and spring. Preschools
from the surrounding areas come for a "Walk, Talk, and Taste Tour".
This includes story reading, a tour of the garden where they taste
samples of seasonal fruits and veggies, help feed the chickens, learn
about composting. and create a garden craft to take home.
The Garden of Learning was created, built and is maintained year round by Master Gardener, Monette Meo, and her husband, Greg Meo.