April 2010

Dear Readers,
The Kentucky School Garden Network (KSGN), the JCPS Diversity and Multicultural Education Office and JCPS Center for Environmental Education are proud to present the third annual Earth Day Perspectives Project. Since 2008, all members of the Kentuckiana community have been invited to share their thoughts in writing on a variety of environmental topics in honor of Earth Day in April. This year, participants were asked to submit essays that addressed the following question, “How do gardens and locally grown food contribute to the well-being of our communities?” The respondents come from many diverse walks of life: educators, students, politicians, a gourmet chef, a storyteller, small business owners, corporate executives, landscapers, community volunteers, a professional “porch sitter,” and many more. Most importantly, their essays highlight how gardening and local food can affect so many aspects of our lives, including our overall health and the education of our children.

We are pleased that the Kentucky School Garden Network is working with the JCPS Diversity and Multicultural Education Office and the JCPS Center for Environmental Education to achieve their goal of having all students become environmentally literate and academically successful. This year’s Earth Day Perspectives essays, in combination with the recent school garden survey completed by more than 350 educators, paint a picture of students and their teachers growing vegetables, learning about healthy diets, exercising together all while making the school grounds a true place of learning. We look forward to working with our partners to make this picture a reality for all students and all schools. Every child deserves healthy food, daily activity, and access to a garden where they can learn how to be self sufficient, self-reliant, and productive citizens of their community. While gardens are not an end all for student exploration and appreciation of the outdoors and each other, school gardens can be that daily connection that builds a bond between our students and a healthy lifestyle and success in school. Enjoy the essays and use these stories and ideas to support our young people as they explore and understand the world that they live in.

For up to date school gardening information, or information on resources, grants and gardening curriculum visit the school Garden Network’s Web site www.kyschoolgardens.org

Click here to download a PowerPoint overview of the Kentucky School Garden Survey. The presentation was developed by the JCPS Accountability, Research, and Planning Department.

Sincerely,

Dr. David Wicks
Kentucky School Garden Network

Aukram Burton and Catherine Collesano
JCPS Diversity/Multicultural Education Office

Beth Inman, Bryan Thompson and Caryn Walker
JCPS Center for Environmental Education
JCPS at Blackacre State Nature Preserve and Historic Homestead

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April 2010		Volume 4, No. 3 \| Special Earth Day Edition
JCPS Home \| Diversity Office \| Environmental Education \| Mission Statements \| Archives \| Current Issue

The Book Corner \| On the Web: Resources for April \| Local Events and Resources


Writers Page 1 Paige Battcher Rep. Stuart Benson Dr. Sheldon Berman Cabrina Bosco Aukram Burton Page 2 Marianne Butler Dr. Paul Cappiello Shane Corbin Phyllis Croce Sarah Lynn Cunningham & Cathy Smock Page 3 John Delautre Melissa Dresler Richie Farmer Greg Fischer Rob Frederick Page 4 Thomas Freese Tina G. Garland Carolyn Gilles Gary Heine & Valerie Kausen Crow Hollister Page 5 Darleen Horton Judith P. Hunt Mohamed Hussein Beth Inman Cathy Kayrouz Page 6 Bennett Knox Rose Livingston Layla Musselman Joan Perkins Teddie Phillipson-Mower Page 7 Lisa Satin Susan Seiller Robert L. Smither, Jr. Brenda Stokes Peter Thiong Page 8 Myrdin Thompson Jim Whaley Dr. David Wicks Rep. John Yarmuth Noor Yussuf		Dear Readers, The Kentucky School Garden Network (KSGN), the JCPS Diversity and Multicultural Education Office and JCPS Center for Environmental Education are proud to present the third annual Earth Day Perspectives Project. Since 2008, all members of the Kentuckiana community have been invited to share their thoughts in writing on a variety of environmental topics in honor of Earth Day in April. This year, participants were asked to submit essays that addressed the following question, “How do gardens and locally grown food contribute to the well-being of our communities?” The respondents come from many diverse walks of life: educators, students, politicians, a gourmet chef, a storyteller, small business owners, corporate executives, landscapers, community volunteers, a professional “porch sitter,” and many more. Most importantly, their essays highlight how gardening and local food can affect so many aspects of our lives, including our overall health and the education of our children. We are pleased that the Kentucky School Garden Network is working with the JCPS Diversity and Multicultural Education Office and the JCPS Center for Environmental Education to achieve their goal of having all students become environmentally literate and academically successful. This year’s Earth Day Perspectives essays, in combination with the recent school garden survey completed by more than 350 educators, paint a picture of students and their teachers growing vegetables, learning about healthy diets, exercising together all while making the school grounds a true place of learning. We look forward to working with our partners to make this picture a reality for all students and all schools. Every child deserves healthy food, daily activity, and access to a garden where they can learn how to be self sufficient, self-reliant, and productive citizens of their community. While gardens are not an end all for student exploration and appreciation of the outdoors and each other, school gardens can be that daily connection that builds a bond between our students and a healthy lifestyle and success in school. Enjoy the essays and use these stories and ideas to support our young people as they explore and understand the world that they live in. For up to date school gardening information, or information on resources, grants and gardening curriculum visit the school Garden Network’s Web site www.kyschoolgardens.org Click here to download a PowerPoint overview of the Kentucky School Garden Survey. The presentation was developed by the JCPS Accountability, Research, and Planning Department. Sincerely, Dr. David Wicks Kentucky School Garden Network Aukram Burton and Catherine Collesano JCPS Diversity/Multicultural Education Office Beth Inman, Bryan Thompson and Caryn Walker JCPS Center for Environmental Education JCPS at Blackacre State Nature Preserve and Historic Homestead Top

The Book Corner \| On the Web: Resources for April \| Local Events and Resources

Global Connections: Staying in Touch with Culture and Environment is a monthly publication of the JCPS Office of Equity, Diversity and Multicultural Education and the JCPS Center for Environmental Education. All submissions to the newsletter must be sent to Catherine Collesano, Editor, at catherine.collesano@jefferson.kyschools.us or fax (502) 485-3762 the Monday before the publication date. If you are interested in becoming a subscriber or a contributor to Global Connections, please contact the editor at the above email address.