Community Partnerships
3.1 Community Partnerships
Choices Academy has been incredibly fortunate to have many Community Partnerships which have helped to make the Choices Academy a Green School. Wheelhouse donated bicycles and bicycle helmets for our students. Martin Hutchinson, Salisbury Secretary of Community Gardens, has been one of our biggest supporters and has been serving on the Garden Committee at our school since plans for the garden began. With Martin Hutchinson as our point of contact, the Community of Joy Church and the Church of the Brethren Global Food Initiative Going to Garden Fund provided the funds which will be used to buy the Hoop House that will be installed on site.
Other Community Partners which have donated to the Choices Academy Community Garden include:
|
|
3.1.1 Schools active in community
On October 30, 2019, Choices Academy High School Students went on a field trip to explore how modern development has impacted the watershed environment here in Salisbury. To accomplish this, we took a field trip to the Ward Museum
in order to monitor the health of the watershed in Salisbury. As such, students looked at past photographs of the area, explored how at one time there was a beach for people to swim in the pond. Students also explored runoff and how this has impacted the water quality as well as gathered water samples. Students did a biological survey of all the plants and animals of the area to check to see if they thought the area was very bio-diverse and a healthy ecosystem.
in order to monitor the health of the watershed in Salisbury. As such, students looked at past photographs of the area, explored how at one time there was a beach for people to swim in the pond. Students also explored runoff and how this has impacted the water quality as well as gathered water samples. Students did a biological survey of all the plants and animals of the area to check to see if they thought the area was very bio-diverse and a healthy ecosystem.
3.1.2 Community active in schools
Gerrie Wiersberg, as Green Leader, has been a great help to our school throughout the Green School Application process. When Choices Academy first began the process of becoming a Green School, Gerrie Wiersberg gave a Professional Development explaining the Green School application process. Gerrie Wiersberg has also provided resources, reminded about Green School deadlines, attended Green School meetings and Garden meetings to guide the Choices Academy staff towards our goal of becoming a Green School.
Martin Hutchinson, Salisbury Secretary of Community Gardens, has been a fantastic community partner with Choices Academy. Martin has been serving on the Garden Committee at our school since plans for the garden began. Martin has encouraged and helped Choices Academy to get the funds and support necessary to make the Choices Academy Community Garden a reality. |
On June 7, 2019, Our Green School Kickoff Celebration was featured by WMDT:
https://www.wmdt.com/2019/06/choices-academy-works-to-create-student-garden/
https://www.wmdt.com/2019/06/choices-academy-works-to-create-student-garden/
|
On August 26, 2019, the Choices Academy Community Garden and it's fundraising efforts were featured on DelmarvaLife. Mr. Hatton, High School Science teacher, and Martin Hutchinson, Salisbury Secretary of Community Gardens, spoke about the Choices Academy Community Garden and our fundraising efforts.
WMDT also featured Choices Academy and it's fundraising efforts: https://www.wmdt.com/2019/08/wico-school-fundraising-for-community-garden/ |
On November 7, 2019, the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore presented Choices Academy with a $5,000 grant. The grant money will be used to build a fence so that we can install the Hoop House to make the Choices Academy Community Garden operational!
On November 22, 2019, Hertrich Cash for Class awarded $500 to Choices Academy to be used for the Choices Academy Community Garden.