201 GOLDEN APPLE AWARDSThis certificate is awarded with the sincere appreciation and esteem

of a grateful Department and City in recognition of your school’s efforts to help make New York City shine.

City of New YorkDepartment of Sanitation

Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recyclingnyc.gov/wasteless

Elementary Division Manhattan Borough

Winner

PS 166 Richard Rodgers School

of the Arts & Technology

2013 Golden Apple AwardsContest Entry Judging Info

(This sheet prepared for judges' use by DSNY BWPRR)

LMGrade Division

MBorough:

PS 166 Richard Rodgers School of the Arts & TechnologySchool:

132 W 89 STAddress: NEW YORK 10024

212-678-2829Phone: Rachelle KingContest Coordinator:

Debra MastrianoPrincipal:

Douglas OrejuelaCustodian:

13032ID Info:

TrashMasters! Reduce & Reuse Challenge

TrashMasters! Super Recyclers

TrashMasters! Team Up to Clean Up

2013 Project Entries received for:

5/16/2013Info Confirmed:

Received:

Received:

5/1/2013Received:

12:SR-hon,RR-part;13:TU-BPrior Year Entries:

School Contact Information:

609School Population: total #Core Group: Total Participating:

21 609

Golden Shovel Award contestant(for borough Master School Composter)

REQUIRED for Super Recyclers only:

Flower Power: How We Beautified Our Community

6/26/2013

Ongoing since 2005, parents and students in PS 166's Gardening Committee care for the street trees in front of the school; they plant bulbs, cleanthe pits, and water the trees. In 2007 they built and installed tree guards, and placed plants in their Reading Garden. In 2010, with grant fundingfrom the NYC Council, the Committee purchased soil, furniture, and equipment, and began transforming the school's Reading Garden into anedible garden/ outdoor classroom/ green playspace for the entire school community. The Kindergarten yard, renovated in 2009, was alsoenhanced with flowering bushes, fruit trees, and beds of herbs. In March 2013, as part of efforts to connect more grades and families to thegarden, a Kindergarten gardening program and a "Garden Club" were launched. A campaign to rid the block of dog waste is also underway.

1012190047Block&Lot: M166DOE Location:M166DOE Bldg:

Deborah Middleton, 3rd Gr teacherSustainability Coord:

Printed:

12:SR-hon,RR-part;13:TU-BPrior Year Entries:

13:TU-boroCurrent Prizes

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2013GoldenAppleAwards“TeamUptoCleanUp” ContestEntry PS166M Principal: DebraMastrianoRichardRodgersSchoolofArts&Technology Phone:(212)678‐2829132West89thStreet dmastriano@schools.nyc.govNewYork,NY10024Phone(212)678‐2829Fax(212)579‐4542 ContestCoordinator:RachelleKing,ArtTeacher

Phone:(917)608‐3824Rking666@aol.com

May1,2013PS166isaK‐5schoolonManhattan’sUpperWestSide,serving609children.Foroveradecade,theadministration,parents,students,andstaffofPS166havededicatedthemselvestonurturingstudents’ connection to nature, and creating a culture of environmental awareness andresponsibilitywithintheschoolandcommunity.Thishasbeenachievedthroughvariousin‐schoolinitiatives, starting with the creation of an outdoor Reading Garden in 2001 and ‐ since 2005 ‐throughprojectsspearheadedbythePS166Green/WellnessCommitteeandthePS166GardeningCommittee. These have included: providing healthy cafeteria food through theWellness in theSchoolsprogram,growingabeautifulgardenthatservesupabountyofherbsandvegetablesforour cafeteria, integrating gardening and sustainable farming into the curriculum, usingalternativestostyrofoaminthecafeteriaandforschoolfunctionsandevents,distributinggreencleanerstoallclassroomsannually,launchingrecycling,upcyclingandwaste‐reductioncampaigns,engagingtheschool inenergyconservationcampaigns,establishingaNo‐Idlingzoneoutsideoftheschool,celebratingEarthDay,sellingwaste‐freelunchproducts,andhelpingchildrentoadoptenvironmentallyresponsiblehabits.PS 166 is an activememberof theDistrict 3GreenSchoolsGroupandpartnerswithnon‐profitorganizations,electedofficials,aswellasPTAsfromlocalschoolswhosupportand/orengageinschoolsustainabilityefforts.WehavepartneredwithPS199,forexample,onasneakerrecyclingcampaign.WehavealsocollaboratedwithprivatecompanieslikeRoyalWasteServices(2013)tohost an annual communalpaper shreddingevent, thatoffersdozensofUpperWest Siders theopportunitytosafelyshredandrecycleunwantedpaperaroundtaxtimeandEarthDay.In February, 2012, PS 166 was one of eight District 3 schools that launched a food waste andbagassetraycompostingprogram,inpartnershipwiththeprivatewastehaulerIESI,thatdivertedanaverageof450poundsoffoodwastefromlandfilldaily,andreducedthevolumeofcafeteriagarbage by 85% in those eight schools. The pilot became a model for a citywide school foodcompostingexpansion,firstannouncedbyMayorBloomberginhisFebruary2013StateoftheCityaddress.Oureffortsaredocumented,astimeallows,onadedicatedPS166greenwebsitepage.CONTESTENTRYINFO:Borough:ManhattanGradeDivision:Elementary

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“PS166’sFlowerPower:HowWeBeautifiedOurCommunity”

ContestEntrySummary:In2005,PS166’sGardeningCommitteebeganbeautifyingourcommunitybycaringforthestreettreesonW.89thStreetinfrontoftheschool.Teamsofparentsandstudentsplantedbulbs,cleanedthepitsandwateredthetrees.In2007theybuiltandinstalledwoodentreeguardstoprotectthetreepits.FlowersandherbswereplantedinacoupleofpotsintheexistingReadingGarden.In2010,withgrantfundingfromtheNYCCouncil,theCommitteepurchasedseveralwoodenplanterboxes,woodenbenches,largecolorfulvases,tableswithumbrellas,soilandequipment,andbegantransformingtheschool’sReadingGardenintoagloriousediblegarden/outdoorclassroom/greenplayspacefortheentireschoolcommunity.TheKindergartenyard,renovatedin2009,wasalsoenhancedwithfloweringbushes,fruittreesandbedsofherbs.In2011,permanentwroughtirontreeguardsreplacedthetemporarywoodenguards,creatingasenseofuniformityandorder.Theschoolwasalsoabletogetfourcherrytreesplantedintheschool’splayground.InMarch2013,aspartofeffortstoconnectmoregradesandfamiliestothegarden,aKindergartengardeningprogramanda“GardenClub”werelaunched.Acampaigntoridourblockofdogwasteisalsounderway.STUDENTINVOLVEMENT:StudentParticipation: CoreGroup:21StudentParticipation: Total:609SchoolPopulation: Total:609

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IMPLEMENTATIONWhyThisProject?PS166hadthegoodfortuneofhavingtwolargeyardsthatwerebeingunder‐utilized:a“ReadingGarden,”createdin2001,andaKindergartenplayyard.Theopportunitytomakethemfunctionasoutdoorlearning/greenplayspaces,especiallyinlightofourgreeninitiativesandexistinghorticulturalprograms,seemedthelogicalthingtodo.Caringforourstreettreesandcleaningupourblockwasalsoalogicaltie‐in,whichgrewoutofourloveforourschoolandourcommunity.

WhatDidYouDo?(TheTransformation)TheGardeningCommitteestartedin2005,caringforthetreepitsoutsidetheschool,andplantinginpotsinthegarden,andexpandedalittleeachyearasthebudgetallowed.In2010,thankstogenerousgrantsfromNYCCouncilmemberGaleBrewer,GrowtoLearn,theGreenacreFoundationandothers,andtheveryhardworkofparentgardeners,PS166’sReadingGardenandtheKindergartenyard,weretransformedintolushediblegardensandoutdoorclassrooms.Today,PS166’sstudents,staff,andparentshavegreenoutdoorspacesthatareusedforperformances,classprojectsandparties,afterschoolhomework,meetings,specialevents,playandrelaxation.

BEFORE:PS166ReadingGarden,2009 BEFORE:PS166Kindergartenplayyard,2009

AFTER:PS166Kindergartenyard,2010

AFTER:PS166garden,2013

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PS166’sKindergartenplayyardunderwentitsrenovationin2009,thankstoacapitalgrantfromManhattanBoroughPresidentScottStringerandacollaborationwithOut2PlayandESIDesign‐oneoftheworld’sforemostexperientialdesignfirms(seeattachedplans,pp.16‐17).Thethematicdesignfortheplayyardwas“CitytoCountry,”withanactiveareaatoneendoftheyardandaquietareaattheother.Theactiveareaor“city”includedalarge,newclimbingstructureandnewsafetysurfaceaswellasasmallrunningtrackpaintedonnewconcrete.After“crossingtheriver,”childrenmovetothequietareaor“country”whichincludeslarge,colorfulplantersfilledwithfloweringplants,herbs,shrubsandsmalltrees,plusbenchesforreadingorrelaxing.Acolorfulmuralonthehighperimeterwallprovidesadynamicbackgroundtotheplayarea.Inkeepingwiththeschool’semphasisonscienceenrichment,therenovatedKindergartenyardalsoincludesfourrainbarrelsandacompostertoprovidethechildrenwithhands‐onexperiences.

ProjectPlanning:Aspartofthemaingardenrenovation,theGardeningCommitteedrewasketchoftheirvisionforthenewgardenspace.Afterfundingwassecured,astagewasbuiltandlargecolorfultablesandumbrellaswerepurchasedforstudentstositat/workon.TheGardeningCommitteetookmanyroadtripstobuysupplies,hauledandpouredbagsofsoilandmulch,plantedfruittrees,herbs,vegetables,wildgrasses,rosesandfloweringshrubs.

ChildrenusethenewstageinthegardenforperformancesColorfultablesandchairsgracethenewgarden

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CaringfortheTreesGrantfundswerealsousedtobeautifythetreepitsdirectlyinfrontoftheschool.EnglishIvywasplantedaroundthebaseofthetrees.Freshmulchwasadded.Irontreepitguardswereinstalledin2011,replacingtemporarywoodenguardsfrom2007.Thankstoadonationoffreeflowers,throughacollaborationwiththeMandellSchoolandits“KidsGrowNewYork”program,PS166organizedweekendflowerplantingsinthetreepits(2010‐2011).Mosrecently,anewlyformed“GardenClub”–anarmoftheGardeningCommittee‐hasbroughtPS166familiestogethertocontinuetheweekendflowerplantingsintheSpring.

Wroughtirontreeguardsandsigns. Plantingflowersinourtreepits.

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CommunityEngagementforBeautificationTheGardenClubhasalsoorganizedagroupofourchildren,gradesK–4,todrawsignsaskingourcommunitynottothrowgarbageinthetreepits,orlettheirdogsurinateordefecateinoraroundthem.Thesesignswerelaminatedandhungaroundthetreetrunks.

DealingWithDogWasteIn2013,becauseofachronicdogwasteproblemonW.89thStreet,whichresultsinchildren,parentsandteacherssteppinginthefilthandtrackingitintotheschool,thePS166PTApurchasedandinstalledboxes,completewithdogwastebags,intwolocationsontheschoolblock.Thebagsarereplenishedbytheschool.Preliminaryevidencefromthepasttwomonthssuggeststhattheboxesseemtobemakingadifferencealready,astheamountofdogwasteontheblockhasdiminished!

In2013,thePTAinstalledtwoboxes,withdogwastebags,onW.89thStreettodealwithachronicdogwasteproblemontheblock.Theyhavealreadymadeadifference!

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PlantingTreesintheW.89thStreetPlaygroundTheWest89thStreetplayground,adjacenttoPS166andmanagedbytheNYCParksDepartment,isusedbyPS166studentsduringandafterschoolhours.IntheFallof2011,PS166PTAmembersapproachedtheNYCDepartmentofParksandRecreation's(DPR’s)Forestrydivisiontoaddressthe"mudpits"atthewestendoftheplayground.Theemptypitsofdirtaccumulatedstandingwaterandattractedmosquitoes.Inaddition,parentsfeltthattreeswouldcreatemuch‐neededshadeinthehotsummermonths.TheNYCDPRprovidedfourPrunussargentii'Columnaris'(cherry)treesaspartofanexistingtreeplantingprogram.Thetreeswereselectedfortheirlovelyspringflowersandabilitytoprovideshade.Unfortunately,twoofthetreesweredamagedduringSuperstormSandy.

StudentInvolvement:Studentslearn,plant,andplayinthegarden,aswellashelpcareforthestreettrees.Thegoalisforbothchildrenandadultstofeelasenseofpersonalresponsibilityandloveforourgarden,treesandflowersand‐throughtheirinvolvementinhelpingtogrowfoodandbeautifytheblock‐developasenseofprideaboutwhattheyhaveaccomplishedforourschoolandcommunity.

TeachingPS166’schildrenaboutpersonalresponsibility,andwhyit’simportanttocarefortheEarthandtheircommunitybeginswithanefforttointegrategardeningandenvironmentaleducationintothePS166curriculumandafterschoolprograms.

The“GardenClub”:StudentmembersoftheGardenClubandtheirparentsparticipateinweekendtreepitcleaningsandplantings.Theycreatedsignsforthetreesontheblock,askingpeopletorespectthetrees/treepits.ThisSpring,theClubispilotinganafterschoolgardeningclass,ledbyacommunitygardener,thatwillteachchildrentocareforthegarden,andtocreatewildlifehabitatthroughthebuildingandinstallationofbirdhousesusingEco‐SchoolsUSA’sSchoolGroundspathway,amongotherthings.(PS166isaregisteredEco‐School).

BEFORE:PS166W.89playgroundin2010,priortotheplantingoftrees

AFTER:Fourcherrytreeswereplantedin2012

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Kindergarteners:ThispastMarch,fortheveryfirsttime,PS166’sGreen/WellnessCommitteeorganizedagrade‐wideKindergartenplantingforabout125children.Eachclassreceivedabagofseedstarterandseedsforlettuces,beans,tomatoes,basil,squash,peppersandmarigold(pestshatemarigolds).Theyplantedtheseincompostablecups,whichtheyarekeepingintheirclassroomsuntiltheycantransplantthemoutsideintheKyardinnewwoodenboxplantersatthebeginningofMay.

Secondgraders:EveryFall,forthelastthreeyears,PS166’ssecondgradershavetakenfieldtripstovisitthelocalfarmer’smarket,tolearnaboutNewYorkStatefarmersandseasonalfoodproduction.InJune,theytakeatriptotheStoneBarnsCenterforFoodandAgricultureinPocanticoHills,toseeaworkingsustainablefarmfirst‐hand.TheyalsoworkintheWestSideCommunityGardenacrossthestreetfromtheschool.

Thirdgraders:AspartofacollaborationwiththeHorticultureSocietyofNewYork(HSNY),inplacesince2006,thirdgradersintegratehorticultureandecologylessonsintotheirsciencecurriculumforsevenweeksthroughtheplantingofvegetables(lettuce,tomatoes,cucumbers,squash,broccoli,andpeppers),herbsandflowersinwoodenplanterboxes.Studentsnotonlyplantvegetables,theyalsogettopickandeatwhattheyplanted

School‐wide:Eachyear,theentireschoolisinvitedtoseewhathasbeenplantedbythethirdgradersandsharesintheexperienceofwatchingthevegetablesgrow.In2011,ourgardenwascertifiedwiththeCity’sGardentoCaféprogram.SchoolFoodand

WellnessintheSchools(WITS)chefsareabletousemanyofthegarden’sherbs,lettucesandtomatoesinthekitchenseveraltimesayearduringschool‐wideWITSCaféandHarvestDays.ChildrentastewhattheyortheirpeershavegrowninthegardenandparticipateinWITS‐sponsoredcookingclassesandcookingdemosusingproducefromthegarden.

HorticultureSocietystaffandPS1663rdgradersworktogetherfor7weekseverySpring

Woodenplanterboxesbrimmingwithproduce

WITSChefStefanieDevicharvestslettucesfromPS166’sgardenforaHarvestDaymeal

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AllchildrenandclassroomassistantsparticipateinPS166’scafeteriacompostingprogram.PS166wasoneofeightDistrict3schoolsthatbeganasuccessfulfoodandtraywastecompostingpilotinFebruary2012whichbecameamodelfortheCity.TheCitycurrentlymanagestheexpandedpilotinover100schoolsandissettotakeitcitywideintwoyears!PS166isveryproudofitspioneerstatus.Asummaryofthepilotdataandphotoscanbefoundatgreenschoolsny.comBecausesortingfoodwastecanbeamessyjob,olderstudentsdonrubberglovesduringbreakfastandlunch,andhelpyoungerstudentsatthesourceseparationstationbelow.In2012,membersofPS166’s5thgradestudentcouncildecidedtobeautifyourcompostingtotersbypaintingthemwithcolorfulfoodandhandmotifs.

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Bytakingthechildrentovisitthefarmer’smarketsandteachingthemwheretheirfoodcomesfrom,showingthemhowtogrowtheirownfood,teachingthemhowtocookthefoodtheygrow,explainwhythey’reeatinghealthierfoodinthecafeteria,andclosingtheloopthroughcomposting,theystarttounderstandthevitallyimportantconnectionsbetweeneverydayfoodchoices,personalhealth,andenvironmentalstewardship.Studieshaveshownthatchildrenwhogrowandcookfoodatschoolnotonlyincreasetheirknowledgeofhealthy

food,buteatoneandahalfmoreservingsoffruitsandvegetablesdailythanthosewhodon’thavesuchprograms.Previousstudiesonthebenefitsofschoolgardenshavenotonlydemonstratedincreasednutritionalknowledge,butheightenedenvironmentalawareness,improvedacademicperformance,andimprovedsocialskills.Promotion:TheworkoftheGardenCommitteehasbeendisseminatedtothePS166communityviatheschoolYahoogrouplistservandtheschoolwebsite.Invitationstocommunityeventssuchasweekendplantings,aswellasafterschoolprogramofferings,havebeenemailedandbackpackedtotheentireschoolandpostedonthePTAbulletinboard.ThePTAsentoutpressreleases,in2010and2011tolocalmedia,announcingribbon‐cuttingeventsfortherenovatedgardenspaces.

Above, left to right: Edwin Schlossberg of ESI Design,NYC Council member Gale Brewer, PS 166 PrincipalDebbie Hand, Manhattan Borough President ScottStringer, and Andrea Wenner, Executive Director ofOut2Play cut the ribbon for PS 166’s renovated K playyard,October18,2010

CouncilMemberGaleBrewer’sChiefofStaff,ShulaWarren,helpscomposerMaryRodgersGuettel,daughterofcomposerRichardRodgers,cuttheribbonforPS166’srenovatedgarden,June14,2011

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Formalinvitationstotheseeventsweresenttoeveryonewhohadahandinhelpingtorealizetherenovations:localelectedofficials/funders,cityagencystaff,companiesthatofferedpro‐bonosuppliesand/orservices,etc.Ourpartnershavealsopublicizedtheseeventsontheirownwebsites,blogs,ore‐newsletters,therebymagnifyingourreach.Specialeventsareusedasaforumtoinvitepeopleintothegardenandpubliclythankthemanyparentvolunteers,friends,sponsors,andnon‐profitpartnerswhohelpmakeourschoolwonderful.Studentsoftenmakepresentationsattheseevents,toexpresstheirappreciationtotheguests.PTAbreakfastsandmeetingsofallsortsareheldinthegardeninthespringandsummer–agreatwaytointroduceoutsiderstothegardenandremindourowncommunityabouthowfortunatewearetohavesuchabeautifulspace.

Duringannualschool‐wideeventslikeFallFest,summerdanceperformance,usedbooksale,andthelike,themaingardenisopenforthewholecommunitytoenjoy.Whenviewedfromthesidewalk,ourgardenisbright,colorful,lushandinviting.

Collaboration:Noneoftheworkthatwasaccomplishedtorenovatethegardenspacesandbeautifythecommunitywouldhavebeenpossiblewithoutthecollaborationofavarietyofpartners.LocalelectedofficialsincludingCouncilmemberGaleBrewerandManhattanBoroughPresidentScottStringerhavebeenstalwartsupportersofourschool,schoolgardens,andenvironmentaleducation,andprovidedthefundingnecessaryfortherenovationofthegardens.NumerousfoundationsincludingGreenacre,TheLowensteinFoundation,andGrowtoLearnprovidedfundingfortheGardeningCommitteeandhorticultureprograms.ThePS166PTAalsoprovidesadditionalfundsforgardeningsuppliesasneeded.

For‐profitcompaniessuchasRoArt,donateddesignservicesfortheoriginalReadingGarden.ESIDesignprovidedpro‐bonodesignservicesfortheKyardrenovation.Out2Play,anon‐profit,providedlogisticalandmaterialsupport.

NeighborhoodstoreslikethePlantShedonWest96thStreethavedonatedand/ordeeplydiscountedgardeningsupplies.OutoftownstoreslikeStewLeonard’shavealsoofferedgenerousdiscounts.

FruittreesinPS166’sgardenarelushandinvitingSpecialeventsareheldinthemaingarden

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TheGardeningCommitteeandparentvolunteershaveworkedwithcityagenciesonvariousphasesofgardeningandtree‐relatedprojects.Forexample,theyworkedwiththeNYCDepartmentofParksandRecreation'sForestrydivisiontogetcherrytreesplantedintheplayground,theDOESchoolConstructionAuthoritytogetthewroughtirontreeguardsforthetreepits,andtheDivisionofSchoolFacilitiestoenlistthecustodians’helptowaterthegardenandtreesoverthesummer.

Inaddition,numerousnon‐profitpartners,liketheHorticultureSociety,provideprogrammingthathelpourchildrenlearnaboutgardening,healthyfood,andsustainability.WellnessintheSchools’culinarygraduatesworkalongsideourDOESchoolFoodkitchenstaff,aswellaswithourchildren,toteachthemhowtocookupproducefromthegarden;andFoodNetworkTVcelebritychefslikeJonathanWaxmanandAaronSanchezmakespecialappearancesinthePS166cafeteriaseveraltimesayeartogetkidsexcitedaboutcookingandtastinghealthyfoods.

TheHorticultureSocietyofNewYork,theWestSideCommunityGarden,andtheStoneBarnsCenterforFoodandAgricultureallprovideimportantprogrammingaswell.

Lastly,noneofthegardenrenovationsortreepitcleanupswouldhavebecomearealitywithoutthetirelesseffortsofPS166parentvolunteers,whoenvisionedtheprojects,soughtthefundingand

materialsupportforthem,oversawtherenovations,managedthefinances,droveouttoselectandpurchasetheplantsandsoil,didtheback‐breakinglaborinvolvedinmovinggiantpots,shovelingdirt,transplantingtrees,planting,watering,andmore.

DespiteseveraladministrativetransitionsthatincludedfourdifferentPrincipalsinthespanofeightyears,allweresupportiveofthegardenprojectsandrelatedprogramming.Severalteachershaveembracedthegardenbyconductingtheirclassesoutsideandbringingvermi‐compostbinsintotheirclassrooms.EducationalComponents:Atthemoment,threegradesareactivelyincorporatinggardeneducationintotheircurriculum:Kindergarten,secondgrade,andthirdgrade.

Kindergartenteachersaretyingthegrade‐wideplantingstotheKcurriculumunitonfarmingandplants.

Secondgraders’visittothefarmersmarket,StoneBarns,andtheWestSideCommunitygardenarebeingtiedintocurriculumunitsonplantsaswellascommunities:urban,farmingandrural.

FoodNetworkTV’s“Chopped”celebritychefandPS166alumAaronSanchezledacookingdemoforaWITSCaféDay,April23,2013

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ThirdgradersenjoyHSNY's"AppleSeed"program,whichrunsfor7weeksinthegardenandistiedtothe3rdgradesciencecurriculum.Theprogramincludesenvironmentalstudies,plantfunctionandanatomy,andoutdoorgardenstudies.Thechildrenuseactiveobservationandhands‐onskillstostudyflowers,leavesandtrees,examineredwigglerworms,andinvestigatetheecologyoftheurbanenvironment.Theygerminateplantsfromseed,recordweatherfindings,andconductplantexperiments.

Theyalsolearnaboutpollinators,releaseladybugs,writenaturepoetry,pickandeatvegetablestheyhavegrown,andhelpmaintainthegarden.Anewafterschoolgardeningclass,whichwillbepilotedthisSpring,aswellashopesforanexpandedgardeningprogramwithYMCAstudents,aimstogrowthenumberofchildrenthatconnecttothegarden.Webelievethat,throughourgardening,streettreecare,andblockbeautificationactivities,weareeducatingthecommunityaboutpersonalresponsibilityandenvironmentalstewardship.PROJECTANALYSIS:Whatworked?Everythingworkedbecausetwoextremelyambitiousgardenrenovationprojectswerefundedandcompleted!WegotthesupportweneededfromtheschooladministrationandthePTA;wesecuredlargegrantsfromcityofficialsfortherenovations,aswellassmallergrantsfromfoundationsneededtopurchasesupplies;wewerefortunatetohaveacoregroupofparentswhodedicatedthemselvestonegotiatingandmanagingeverystepofwhatwasoftenaverylongandfrustratingmulti‐yearprocessthatrequiredpatience,perseverance,andafairamountofdiplomacy.Theseparentswerealsowillingtoengageinongoinghardphysicallabortomaintainthegarden.TodaywehaveadedicatedGardenCommitteethatisseekingtoengagethecommunityintakingcareofourgardenandourstreettrees,andincorporatingthegardenmorebroadlyintotheschoolcurriculumacrossthegradesandintotheafterschoolprograms.Whatdidn'twork?Althoughtheremustbesomemeasureofcontrolbyacoregroupofgardenersaboutwhatisplantedandpruned,toensurethatthegardeniswelltakencareofandremainsabeautifulplaceforalltoenjoy,wewouldliketoseeincreasedparticipationratesamongparentsandteachersingardeningandstreettreecareactivities.Parentshavebusylivesandvolunteeringinthegardenisnoteveryone’stoppriority.Thismeansthatthehardworkisconsistentlydonebyaverysmall,dedicatedgroupofparentvolunteers.Sometimes,thegardensuffersfromalackofconstantattention.Thatbeingsaid,thequalityandnumberofcommunicationsfromtheGardeningCommitteecouldbeimprovedandincreasedtoletpeopleknowthatvolunteersareneededandwelcomed.Inaddition,teachers–includingourschool’sSustainabilityCoordinatorwhoisathirdgradeteacher‐areoverwhelmedwithtestpreparation,CommonCore,qualityreviews,datarequirementsandthelike,andsadlydonothavetimetothinkaboutwaystheymightusethe

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gardenforfun,project‐basedlearningactivitiesthatwouldactuallyengagetheirstudentsandimprovetestscores.

Toremedythissituation,theGardeningCommitteeplanstoaskeachclasstoadoptourgardensandstreettreesfortwoweeksduringtheschoolyear.Everyclasswouldhaveagardeningcaptain.Theclasswouldberesponsibleforcleaningupthegardensandtreepits,watering,andmakingsuretheflowersaredoingwell.Introducinggrade‐specificlessonplans,alignedwiththeCommonCore,toencourageteacherstousethegardenhasalsobeendiscussed.

ApplicabilitytoOtherSchools:Theproblemsoflowvolunteerismandteacherburnoutarenotuniquetoourschool.Historyshowsthatmanypioneeringprojectsaretypicallytakenonbyacoregroupofdedicatedindividualswhoarepassionateaboutwhattheyaredoing.However,toensurebroaderparticipationbythecommunity,theremustbeconsistentoutreach‐tofamilies,teachers,Principals,PTAs,electedofficials,reporters,foundations,non‐profits‐topublicizeourwork.Wehavefoundthatitisalsoextremelyimportanttokeeprecordsofalltheworkthatisdone,includingcopiesofplans/designs,grantproposals,lettersto/fromfunders,correspondence,gardenhistory,andsourcesforsupplies,inaCommitteebinderthatcanbepassedontothenextsetofvolunteerswhocomeonboardafteryou’regone.Thiswillensurethatahistoryofyouraccomplishmentsispreservedandthenextsetofvolunteerswillhaveusefulinformationattheirfingertips.

MeasuringSuccess:Wemeasuresuccessbythefactthatwehavetwobeautifulgardensandwell‐kepttreepitsthatareenjoyedbyourentireschoolcommunityeveryday.Teachersholdclassesoutside,studentsplayinthegardensorusethemaingardenasaquietspacetodohomework,andtheYMCAstudentsenjoythegardenspaceafterschool.Oursuccessfulcafeteriacomposting(andrecycling)programsdemonstratethatwearebuildingacommunityofenvironmentallyliteratecitizens.ThegardensandcompostingprogramhaveraisedPS166’sprofileinthecommunityandhavehelpedbuildvaluablepartnershipswithnon‐profitorganizations,localelectedofficials,potentialfunders,andDOEleadership.Prospectiveparents,aswellasgrandparents,whotourPS166alwayspraisethegardens,andthecafeteriacompostingprogram.Severalparentshavesaidthattheethicofenvironmentalstewardshipandlevelofcommunityinvolvementthatwasapparentin

theschoolconvincedthemtosendtheirchildrentoPS166.

Somethingshowever,likethetruevalueofthegardens–cannotbemeasuredinastandardsense.Studieshaveshown,forexample,thatbeingaroundplantshelpssoothepeopleandimproveconcentration.“Tasksperformedwhileunderthecalminginfluenceofnatureareperformedbetterandwithgreateraccuracy,yieldingahigherqualityresult.Moreover,beingoutsideinanaturalenvironmentcanimprovememoryperformanceandattentionspanby20%.”

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Therefore,simplyhavingthegardensisanimmeasurablebenefittoallofus.FuturePlans:PS166wouldusetheGoldenApplegrantawardtoinstallwroughtirontreepitguardsaroundtheremainingseventreepitsthatrunalongthefrontofourplayground.Currently,dogurine,fecesandfoottrafficprohibitanyrealbeautificationoftheblock.Webelievethatpermanent,attractiveironguardswouldgoalongwaytowardsbeautificationforthefuture.

Wewouldalsouseanysparefundstomaintainthetreesontheblock.ThiswouldincludeplacingafreshbedofmulchinthetreepitseverySpring,aswellasperennialgroundcoverplantssuchasivy.CurbYourDogsignsfromTreesNewYork($25each)wouldalsobehelpful.Finally,wewouldliketohavefundstopurchasetwoadditionaldogwasteboxesfortheblock,andbeabletoreplenishoursupplyofdogwastebags.OthergoalsincludeexpandingthegardeningprogramatPS166byofferinganafterschoolgardeningclass,andfreeafterschoolgardeningsessionstoPS166studentsenrolledintheYMCAprogram.Approximately40%ofthechildrenattendingtheprogramareeligibleforfreelunch.Throughoutthespringandearlysummer,thesechildrenplaygamesinthegarden.Whileitis

wonderfulthattheyhaveaprivateoutdoorspaceinwhichtoplay,theGardenClubwouldliketoimplementaweeklyprogramwherethechildrencanlearnaboutgardening,harvesting,recycling,andcomposting.Thechildrenwouldhavetheopportunitytoplantthroughouttheschoolyearandlearnaboutthebenefitsofgrowingfood,whilecreatingenrichingteamworkandcommunityserviceexperiences.Thiswouldhopefullycreateacorpsofstudentswhoareinterestedandabletocareforourgardenandstreettrees.Wewouldusefundsfromthisgranttopurchasebooks,gardeningsuppliesandkitsfortheafterschoolgardeningprograms.Weappreciatetheopportunitytoapplyforthe2013GoldenApple“TeamUptoCleanUp”grantandhopeyouwillconsiderthemeritsofourapplication.PreparedbyEmilyFanoCo‐Chair,PS166Green/WellnessCommitteeMay1,2013

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ESIDesign’smuralplans(above)andelevationplans(below)forthePS166Kindergartenplayyardrenovation,2009

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ESIDesign’sPhase1plansforKindergartenplayyardrenovation,2009