CalSERVES Makes a Difference: Taylor Mountain

This is the third post in a series of 4 in which we will be highlighting the amazing efforts of CalSERVES Programs in their Make a Difference Day projects. Each project involved a host of AmeriCorps members and volunteers and provided needed services to the communities in which are programs are hosted.

With only a small team on Make a Difference Day, Taylor Mountain had the challenge of accomplishing some big projects! We all worked really hard together and had great communication and spirit. We never lost sight of our goal that day, to get the garden ready for new planting. We worked while laughing, talking and sometimes just quietly getting the job done. We took out most of the weeds that were around our classrooms, as well as pruning the rose bush that the principal had requested. Because of the much-needed trim, we found a fire hydrant and memorial plaque!

 
We also cleared all of the unruly plants and bushes that were growing next to our classroom and the back area near our shed. This area was so out of control that we accumulated ten whole garbage bags of weeds and overgrown plants! The garden area was shaped up and cleared, making way for the plants and harvest. In the end, Taylor Mountain looked more presentable and clean. A couple teachers who were working in their classrooms encouraged us as we were working; it was really nice to hear. We ended the day proud of the work that we accomplished, and left with a tired but happy attitude –we knew that we made a difference that day.

By Yesenia Garcia,  Taylor Mountain AmeriCorps Team Leader

CalSERVES Makes a Difference:

This is the second post in a series of 4 in which we will be highlighting the amazing efforts of CalSERVES Programs in their Make a Difference Day projects. Each project involved a host of AmeriCorps members and volunteers and provided needed services to the communities in which are programs are hosted.

As the sun rose over sleepy Wright Charter School, it found AmeriCorps members rising too- to the occasion that is! They stood shivering in their sweatshirts and coffee mugs staring over a patch – nay, a boundless field – of weeds that needed to be disposed of. It wouldn’t be an easy job, nor a clean one, but the members knew it was up to them to do it…for America.

Fueled on by the inspiring lyrics of TLC and the Spice girls, the sun watched as KC Balagey, Rebecca Stewart, Augustine Stav, Emily Thiebold, and Megan Waring battled against the weeds that threatened the beauty of their beloved tutoring site. Their fearless leader, Taylor Ford, fought through a torn ACL to weed, rake, and hoe alongside them. Throughout the day, AmeriCorps Leads, Elizabeth Sheffer and Chris Rogers, stopped by to journalize the event. When their arms began to feel weak and no one wanted to see another dandelion again, CalSERVES Counselor, Clare McGuire, joined them-working her hands to shreds. Lauren Loeffler, Site Supervisor of Kawana, appeared picking up her own shovel. Alongside her was Wally, the faithful dog, who lifted everyone’s morale to continue the grueling work of beautifying a forgotten plot.

The hero of the day would have to be Auggie Stav, who worked tirelessly to clear more then his share of stubborn weeds. His hard work and dedication to the project was extremely appreciated and it is doubtful it would have been half as successful without him. 

At the end of the day of service, everyone was sweaty, covered in dirt, and sore. However, twelve wheelbarrows full of weeds had been exported to compost piles. The place looked tidier, healthier, and significantly emptier- ready for new seedlings to grow.

 
The day was an overall success with the only causalities being exhaustion and slight sunburn. Wright (and America) was left having taken a slight step forward to becoming their best selves and making a difference for this school on this day.

Also, we saw a mouse.

By Megan Waring, Wright Charter AmeriCorps Team Leader

CalSERVES Makes a Difference: RL Stevens

Over the next 4 days, we will be highlighting the amazing efforts of CalSERVES Programs in their Make a Difference Day projects. Each project involved a host of AmeriCorps members and volunteers and provided needed services to the communities in which are programs are hosted.

There is work to do at RL Stevens!

  When it came to the planning of Make a Difference Day 2013 at RL Stevens, there was a lot to be done! Old rotting raised garden beds needed replacing, a fading map of the world on the blacktop needed repainting, and garden beds throughout the school were in desperate need of mulch. With a few generous donations, we gathered the materials for the two projects we chose to focus on: the raised garden beds and the overall need for mulch. Our Make a Difference Day began a day early when first thing Friday morning 10 cubic yards of steaming mulch was dumped in our parking lot. We knew we had our work cut out for us Saturday morning. Carrying tools borrowed from the Santa Rosa Tool Library and fueled by coffee donated by Starbucks, we got to work.

 Craig Jacques led the battle against the old raised beds in the garden. He was joined by Christian Andersen – the 6th grade teacher at RL Stevens, Jesus Guerrero, and Sean Fitzgerald. They removed old beds, broke up the existing dirt with pick axes and build new raised beds!

Margo Addison, a teacher and Literacy Specialist at RL, gets to work with mulch!

Mulch, mulch, mulch everywhere! It was truly mulch madness. The RL mulch team included Emily Chambers, Gaspar Oregon, Rachel Dillin, Ana Hernandez, and Carmen Wandel. We were joined by our principal - Lori Pola Hoard, our literacy specialist - Margo Addison, and Melissa Moore. We had 10 yards of mulch to spread throughout the school. Luckily our numbers doubled with the addition of Meadow View tutors Zack Edwards, Brenda Diaz, Corie Emery, Jena Preston and their tireless leader NightSnow Vogt!

New garden beds.

After four hours of hard work we still weren't done, as our numbers began to dwindle those remaining really picked up the pace to finish what we had started. Sweaty and dirty, the last people standing Emily, Craig, Ana, and Jesus went home tired but feeling accomplished!

By Emily Chambers, RL Stevens Elementary AmeriCorps Team Leader

Meadow VIew Summer Gardening

We’ve finally reached the end of the year but the Meadow View garden will still be in action all summer, thanks to the help of several dedicated families who have agreed to continue volunteering over the summer.

Since the beginning of the year, Meadow View has hosted monthly garden workdays where families were invited to come out and help in the garden while we entertained their children with fun gardening projects. Things have gone so well that we decided to see if any parents would be on board to help over the summer and to our surprise, many said “Yes!” Currently, we have about twelve families that are helping in various capacities.

For example, one parent has been instrumental in getting our irrigation system up and running. He’s installed drip systems in our new beds and programmed a brand new irrigation timer that was purchased using grant money. Another parent brings out his weed eater and clears out the masses of weeds Meadow View seems to attract every few months. Some parents have adopted one or more of our six beds, which are all organized according to themes, and they are responsible for planting the seeds and maintaining the space. Any produce is up for grabs for all the families.

We never thought the garden would grow into such a successful project and know that it would not have been possible without the help of several dedicated mentors and families. Although we’re still in the beginning phases and there is still a ton to do, we have a good, solid start to a productive summer.

Holly Cumbie, AmeriCorps VIP Fellow

Our Garden is Growing!

Since starting the garden project at Meadow View Elementary School last fall, the CalSERVES crew has accomplished a number of projects and are excited with the progress.

We have completed six new 4 ft X 4 ft X 8 ft planter boxes. To fill the beds, we used existing soil with a donation from Sonoma County Compost. We have begun repairing the irrigation system in the garden. New pipe has been laid underground and all beds have a brand-new drip system with a timer. The next step will be to find and repair a leak in one of the pipes.

We have begun work on our habitat garden, a designated space for native trees, plants, and butterfly friendly flowers. We have planted several species of plants that will attract different insects and animals. This project will be continued over summer.

Finally, we have created a new three-part compost system that can be utilized over summer and during the school year. Summer projects include restoring the outdoor classroom and creating new flower beds from existing cinder blocks. In addition, we have recruited eleven families at our school to help build a bench and support the planting and maintenance of our garden over summer.

Amazing Gardens at Meadow View

Earlier this month, Meadow View mentors, families, teachers and a professional landscaper dedicated their Saturday morning to build six new wooden garden boxes as part of a major plan to renovate and beautify the school garden. The day was a success-we were able to build all six boxes from scratch in three hours thanks to the help of several dedicated families and mentors. We also completed a substantial amount of weeding in the area that will be set aside for our habitat garden.

This year has seen several successes with the garden, beginning with a total of $1500 awarded to our gardening program thanks to Suburu and the City of Santa Rosa. Not only do we finally have the funds to be able to make this project a reality, we have had amazing support from families and mentors who have donated their Saturdays to make the garden a wonderful place of learning for students.

Currently, students will be focusing on making plans for the garden and planting seeds indoors to be ready for spring planting. Future projects include planting a habitat garden featuring flowers and shrubs that attract a host of insects and animals so that students can learn about garden ecology. In addition, we will be constructing an ADA-approved bed.

We are truly lucky at Meadow View to have such a wonderful community to support our vision for an integrative and inclusive gardening program in the after-school program!

by Holly Cumbie, VIP Fellow at Meadow View Elementary

Making a Difference at Taylor Mountain

Richelle Andre, AmeriCorps VIP Fellow at Taylor Mountain Elementary

On Saturday, October 22nd the Taylor Mountain team, aided by a handful of caring and passionate volunteers, helped start the Taylor Mountain school garden - completely from scratch! Lumber and supplies were generously donated by Mission Ace Hardware, Bennet Valley Ace, and Bergess Lumber. Using these materials, along with tools borrowed from the Santa Rosa Tool Library, we were able to construct five pristine 4x8 redwood planter boxes that now have a home behind Taylor Mountain Elementary.

School staff also aided the project, and with their help we were able to scrub the outside stage area, clean up trash, and make a beautiful mural. Family members of CalSERVES After School students were also crucial team members who shared their construction knowledge and precious Saturday mornings to help us beautify the school campus.

It was a terrific event, with CalSERVES tudents and mentors helping create boxes, fill them with dirt, weed, and make a difference!

My Garden, a 2nd Grade Poem

My Garden
By Alondra, 2nd Grader at Meadow View Elementary

My garden is green.
My garden is clean.
My garden has a lot of things in the spring.
In spring flowers grow and grow beautiful.
I plant cherries and berries and I eat them at end.
“Mmmmm, delicious,” said my brother.

Garden Clean Up Day at Meadow View

Christa Fox, AmeriCorps Mentor at Meadow View Elementary
  

The BEFORE Shot of Meadow View's Garden

On Saturday April 2nd, Meadow View mentors, students, family members, and volunteers spent some quality time in the garden pulling weeds, turning the soil, cleaning and organizing the shed, and prepping the garden for planting. With the weather improving, we are making the revamping of our garden a priority.

Meadow View has a fairly large garden and because of the success of the Garden Clean-up Day, we were able to clear the majority of weeds from the flowerbeds and walkways, as well as organize the tool shed. Many volunteers brought their own tools and gloves and got right to work.

Since April 2nd, volunteers have been working in the garden almost on a daily basis. Fruits and vegetables such as, onions, watermelon, peppers, and cantaloupe, have since then been planted and tended to by Meadow View’s Garden Club and Garden Specialist.

Reclaiming the Kawana Garden

Katherine Brooks, Supervising Teacher at Kawana Elementary

Since November, the CalSERVES crew at Kawana Elementary School have been working hard to get their school garden back into shape. Luckily, we have many enthusiastic supporters: students, parents, school staff, and other community members that all want to see the garden in a better state and used more often.

Rebecca Leung, Garden Club Organizer

“At Kawana Elementary School, we strive to offer our students as many resources as possible. However, we have one resource that is being seriously underutilized: our school garden. With 8,000 square feet, the garden is a sizable lot and needs a lot of maintenance and love.” – Rebecca Leung

Rebecca Leung, a full-time mentor and the leader in our movement to reclaim the Kawana Garden, has worked tirelessly to organize a student Garden Club, care for seedlings, and decorate our garden. She has even contacted businesses for donations and organized two Community Garden Days.

In February, the community gathered to organize the garden shed, prune trees, remove dilapidated benches, weed garden beds and cut LOTS of blackberry vines. Parents and students also planted many seeds that are growing now inside pots in our classrooms.

5th grade student Temo says about the first garden day “It was fun cleaning up because it helps our community. My favorite part was pulling all the weeds.”

Temo’s sister and mother also attended the first Community Garden Clean-Up and are excited to participate in the next one that the mentors put on.

Students working hard in the garden - Adrian (2nd) Isai and Temo (5th)

On April 2nd, Kawana’s Garden Club will have a Garden Day once again, and this time, we will be able to plant edible foods, flowers, and herbs in the prepared garden beds. We will also paint over any graffiti on the benches, and continue to remove weeds that don’t belong there. So join us April 2nd from 10 am - 1 pm and be a part of or movement to reclaim the Kawana garden, and check out more photos of our garden events on Flikr!

We look forward to making Kawana’s garden beautiful, and having fun while doing it!

Garden Day At Meadow View

Becky Fein, AmeriCorps Promise Fellow at Meadow View Elementary

A Sweet Treat

Tasha Hruska, Supervising Teacher at Roseland Elementary

Roseland is excited to present a watermelon from our very own school garden. Ms. Nina Borokhim, After School Team Leader at Roseland, prepared slices of watermelon as a snack for our leaders of After School. The rewards of gardening are sweet!

Ms. Borokhim going to town serving up the tastes of summer!

Looks AMAZING!