[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”13473″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]This week kicks off the beginning of garden and nutrition classes at Rosa Parks Elementary School and Rosa Parks ExCEL after school program. (And at school partners including Booker T. Washington Community Center, Faces SF, too! Classes at John Muir Elementary School, Western Addition Beacon, Willie Mays Boys and Girls Club, and Magic Zone will be starting in the next few weeks!) Here Garden Programs Manager Anna Luberoff shows Mr. Bordallo’s 2nd grade class the calendula seeds they will plant in the garden. They are growing calendula, and other classes planted lettuce this week, which they’ll eventually harvest and make into a big salad for Salad Day![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Every single garden class will celebrate the end of their garden lessons by harvesting, preparing and enjoying a salad together with Ms. Anna and parent volunteers. Salad Days are a fun and delicious way to show students the full life cycle of plants and the deliciousness of local, seasonal fruits and vegetables.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The class will begin by playing a game to see what garden rules they remember (for most students in Mr. Bardallo’s second grade class, this will be their third year learning about gardening, the environment and nutrition!) Later, they will pretend to be alien scientists! As alien scientists, they will need to use all of their observational and sensory skills to determine what plants are currently growing in the garden![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”13472″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”13470″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”13471″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”13482″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We’re looking forward to a wonderful season and lots of fun and learning with the kids! This year we’re working with nine partners to teach over 15 environmental and nutrition education classes (an estimated 405 classes between September and June)! We’re increasing our connections between our gardening and cooking curriculum by incorporating more nutrition and cooking lessons into our garden programming, and by expanding our cooking classes to new partners such as Booker T. Washington Community Center and Magic Zone, in partnership with the African American Art and Culture Complex.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]