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The Garden
Maryann McCormick
Garden Specialist
831-624-4609 ext. 2218
The Horticulture Garden Program at River fosters in children a strong sense of natural history and an understanding of the life cycle, as well as supporting the Earth and Physical science curriculums. The Garden program encourages a greater awareness of how students connect with and affect our environment. This corner of the River School campus serves as a living laboratory where students engage in hands-on investigations and cultivate imagination, curiosity, and stewardship. Teachers weave the students' garden experiences into a rich multi-disciplinary curriculum integrating the biological sciences, social sciences, Spanish, and art. Kinder through third-grade students are involved in year-round science/gardening classes including composting, planting from seed, transplanting, monitoring, and harvesting their crops. These science classes address the NGSS standards for science. Additionally, the garden provides a Garden to Table Program wherein students learn how to cook food from the garden in lessons that support their math and social studies curriculum. They can continue their culinary education in specialized after-school classes or, if they prefer to get their hands dirty, take a gardening class. Informally, all students are welcome in the garden at free times in the day to explore, learn, and play. The garden serves as a wonderful "classroom" for students and adults to learn and work together, as well as a sanctuary for anyone who desires a peaceful moment with the natural world.