Malcolm X Shabazz High School’s Media Specialist, Ms. Nevels, applied for and received a $10,000 grant from the Newark Teacher Innovation Fund to sponsor the school’s Garden Club. A hobby gardener, Ms. Nevels has been growing plants and vegetables for over 30 years and has long dreamed of starting a school club. An overall objective of the Gardening Club is to teach students how to plant and grow vegetables as a path to healthy eating.
The Garden Club transformed a classroom into a green room – a peaceful atmosphere where students and teachers worked together to begin the process of seeding. There are now small gardens around the school and football field that produce fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, watermelons, tomatoes and collard greens. As the harvest becomes ready, the school’s culinary arts students use the produce to cook healthy meals.
In addition to growing vegetables, Garden Club students have participated in various workshops facilitated by the Greater Newark Conservancy, such as Healthy Living, Planting & Gardening and Sustainable City (Greenhouse). Activities included building a neighborhood greenhouse and taking a city-wide tour to identify solar panels.
The garden club will continue to be a springboard for students participating in summer programs.