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myNotes

Short Short
Read Read
Great Ideas from Great Parents!

Washington Elementary Needs a Greenhouse

It’s easy to think of ways to spend our school budget. New supplies, new sports

1 equipment, a bigger gym—all these would be great. However, one project should take

I imagine many of you are saying, “A greenhouse instead of a new gym? Is she serious?”
priority: a school greenhouse.
As a farmer, I admit I have my own unique take on this issue. If you ask me, more plants are

2 always a good thing. But I’m also a parent, and I’ve seen firsthand how growing plants

First, agriculture is a fantastic way to learn about science. When kids garden, they learn
helps kids grow, too.
how sunlight, nutrients, and water help plants grow. They learn how seeds store energy.

3 They learn how plants fight back against pests. A greenhouse is like a giant, hands-on
science experiment. Our children can learn by doing and observing. Science teachers can

connect this hands-on learning to their classroom curriculum.
There’s a second great reason to build a school greenhouse: food! Teachers and kids can
grow delicious vegetables. What a great way to add good nutrition to our children’s diet. I
4 guarantee kids are more likely to eat vegetables they reap themselves, after carefully tilling
soil, planting seeds, and watering sprouts. My son even agreed to give eggplant a try after

he helped me grow it on our farm last summer. (Did he like it? No, but he learned a lot.)
I’m aware our school already has a small vegetable garden, but given our climate, crops
can only grow for a few months. Because the greenhouse has a controlled climate, kids can

5 garden all year long! In addition, planting in both the garden and in the greenhouse offers
kids valuable opportunities to compare and contrast growing conditions. That will make

little farmers of them all!
Our children can reap many rewards from a greenhouse. I hope I’ve
succeeded in planting that idea in your head. If so, please cast your vote for
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a new greenhouse at our next school budget meeting.

Sincerely,
Margareta Flores, Parent

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