Chester dedicates new garden

More than 300 Chester Elementary students turned out Tuesday in warm, windy weather to dedicate their new school garden.

Ground was broken on the garden last year, and now seven neatly outlined garden beds are contained in a fenced area off the playground. Each grade level has its own plot and the final section is a rose garden filled with the small beginnings of what will become green, flowery bushes.

Tuesday’s ceremony included a performance by the Horizon Middle School marching band, which made a short hike across a baseball field to play.

Principal Cindy Sothen introduced the PTA parents, Master Gardeners from the Washington State University Cooperative Extension program and representatives from local companies who made the project possible.

“Without the help of our PTA, we would not be able to even start this,” she said.

Several students helped plant a donated red leaf maple tree in honor of Earth Day, and a ribbon was cut before the short ceremony ended.

“We are official,” Sothen said. “From all of our 345 hearts, we appreciate your dedication.”

The garden got its start when a parent had the idea to put in a few flower pots in front of the school. Then she discovered the $5,000 Toolbox for Education grant offered by Lowe’s and things grew from there.

“It was a lofty adventure,” Sothen said.

The grants are available to any public school, said Spokane Valley Lowe’s manager Debbie Yates, who attended the ceremony. The grants can pay for projects like beautification.

“Some of them are playgrounds or things to help with education, like this.”

The grants are awarded every quarter, and Yates is eager to get the word out.

“It’s such a simple process,” she said. “We encourage local schools to apply because we would be happy to help them.”

Last fall the beds were prepared with labor donated by Cantrell Landscaping, Sentinel Fencing and Haase Landscaping. The students planted tulip bulbs, which are coming up nicely. Some classes have already planted snow peas, spinach, carrots and lettuce. “We want them to have an appreciation for what’s around them,” Sothen said. “I think they need to know where this stuff comes from.”

It may be the only chance for some students to have the experience of planting and growing a garden. Plus, it’s a good way for kids to learn practical ways of using math, science and writing. “All of this ties into academics.”

The only problem is that much of the produce will be ready for harvest in the summer, when the students aren’t around. Sothen said she and others will stop by occasionally to check the irrigation system and pull weeds. “The majority of us live really close, so it’s not hard to stop by,” she said.

The produce will be donated to the local food bank and when students come back in the fall they can help with the final harvests.

In the meantime, expect to see a bunch of kids lined up at the fence waiting for things to sprout and grow.

“They’re totally excited,” Sothen said.

St. John Vianney open house

The St. John Vianney Catholic Preschool and Pre-kindergarten will host a story night/open house Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Families who have students enrolled in the school may attend as well as parents interested in sending a child to the school.

The preschool is open to 3-year-olds. Children ages 4 and 5 attend the pre-kindergarten program. Children may attend between two and five days per week.

Refreshments will be served. The school is located at 501 N. Walnut Road. Call (509) 926-7987 for more information.