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Ernie's Eagle Nest has been in operation now for four years. Our learning garden has provided many opportunities for exploring and expanding learning in many ways for our school. In September 2001, Clermont families and staff celebrated the official Ground Breaking Ceremony! We have moved on with various projects, transforming our backyard into a great place to appreciate plant and animal life and learn tons!
Ms. O'Leary a former fourth grade teacher led efforts in our first year, and worked with students to devise plans for different projects and sections within the grand scheme for a learning garden. After ground breaking, we have worked hard, with PTA support and county help to establish our garden. On September 25, 2001 Clermont had "Dirt Day." During the day, students in grades K-6 helped shovel and spread top soil on the garden! The children really felt like part of the gardening process and great fun was had by all! We have also fenced in our area with the assistance of Fairfax County School funds. Teachers worked together and helped with the more physical efforts of putting in our frog pond, and painting the shed. The plan for the pond was designed by students, but teachers provided muscle.
Mr. Mills, a second grade teacher, and former chair of the Garden Committee at Clermont, affirms that Ernie's Eagle Nest is definitely a learning garden. He states that he relies greatly on the expertise of other more experienced green thumbs, and continues to learn along the way. Mrs. Treger and Mrs. Wilhelm have lead students in grades 3-6 who participate in the after school garden clubs. Mrs. Jones continues to give quiet advice and, along with her husband, much needed expert "know how" to special garden projects that seem just a bit too big for students.
Mrs. Polly Ringler has been extremely valuable as a parent volunteer, offering time, expertise, and donated plants. She will be coordinating efforts of parent volunteers throughout the school year. During the summer teachers, students and families visit periodically in an effort to keep up the garden and maintain its appearance.
After our first year attempt with vegetable gardening, we have reevaluated the use of raised beds in our garden. Now each classroom has an assigned bed for use as they choose. Flowers, bulbs, herbs, and vegetables now are planted in these beds, and each class tends them as time permits.
The frog pond thrives as one of our greatest successes. We have battled algae, and the loss of a pump, but the pond has provided tadpoles for study in first and second grade classrooms now for four springtimes. The pond is certainly a favorite highlight for many students. The plant life in the pond is very attractive and provides a unique color to the garden. (Not just algae green!) The lilies are really beautiful.
Our herb garden is slowly taking shape, but weather delays have set our schedule back quite a bit. Snow, and heavy Spring rains have been big obstacles for us. A pathway is taking shape though, and we hope to have bricks put down in the pathway this summer. In the meantime, students were introduced to the wide variety of herbs during a special Earth Day presentation by Mrs. Treger. Students heard about many uses for herbs and were also able to smell and touch many of these wonderful plants. These herbs are temporarily planted in the Garden Club's bed, and as the herb garden takes shape, they will be transplanted.
The garden offered prime opportunity for our art teacher to do some sketching with some of our students a while back. They enjoyed the wide variety of color in our garden. They also discovered a beautiful moth who also seemed to be looking for some nice color. It is exciting to see the many diverse opportunities our garden provides for learning in many curriculum areas.
Our commitment to learning in our garden has not been free of setbacks, but we are learning from mistakes, and new ideas are keeping us busy. Birdhouse poles failing, summer dryness, three feet of snow, raccoon raids, and just plain lack of time have all brought on challenges and have taught us lessons. Our commitment to lifelong learning continues in Ernie's Eagle Nest though as we move into our fifth year.
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