KINGSLEY CHARTER SCHOOL

Imagine  cultivating a flower or vegetable garden. A healthy garden requires planning,
maintenance and nurturing. The soil and plants involve physical contact with nature, reveal biological processes and provide concrete examples of theoretical principles. While he is grubbing in the earth, stirring the soil to let in the moisture and air, he is learning about nature's secrets. By engaging students in such ways, gardens help students see directly that their interactions with the
garden can either help or hinder the growth of other living things. They see that their energies and contributions to the garden will produce vegetables to eat  and flowers to smell. Furthermore, they will gain a greater sense of appreciation and value for that which grows out of the garden because they understand that they play a crucial role in its production, they were part of it's cycle and growth.

Through gardening, students deal directly with the abstract science, math and problem-solving issues that are taught in the classroom. They also utilize various forms of writing, such as  descriptive, persuasive and analytical styles. Students are able to see, touch and analyze the process that created and support the theories read about in text books or learned in the classroom. The subject matter is brought closer to the students as they keep working with and learning from it. Gardens draw together skills from many different disciplines!! ....math, science, English, social studies, art blend into one another, which is, after all, the way the world really works! 

The garden can serve as a source of artistic inspiration and as a means of creative expression. It can be a quiet space to relax, to read, to paint, to write, to listen to the music the birds serenade.

Can you see your Kingsley gardener grow?

Dr. Crawford Lewis', Former Superintendent Dekalb County School System

Whereas, An outdoor Educational Project serves as a living laboratory that students can use
for hands-on activities and experiments involving the world around them; and

Whereas, The Dekalb County School System has adopted a fresh approach to eco-conservation and being smart stewards of the county's natural resources with the intent to become a more environmentally conscious school distract; and

Whereas, Schools with Outdoor Education Projects used as teaching tools significantly contribute
to increased performance on standardized math science, reading, writing and social studies tests; and

Whereas, Loss of habitat is a primary cause of species extinction and Outdoor Educational
Projects help students restore habitat for wildlife; and

Whereas, Children who play in natural areas have more positive social relationships and more
creative play; and

Whereas, Studies have shown that humans have an innate need for an intimate association with
nature; and

Whereas, Many children never interact with the natural world in their urban environment,
therefore Outdoor Educational Projects help fulfill these needs in a safe, supervised way; and

Whereas, Outdoor Educational Projects help build strong community ties and support;
and

Therefore, By this action, let it be known that the Board of Education of the Dekalb County
School System does hereby proclaim support of the School Master Gardener Program in all of the public schools of Dekalb County and calls upon school administrators, teachers, students and citizens of Dekalb County to recognize and support this action and to participate in the School Master Gardener Program.

The School Master Gardener Project will develop sustainable,
experiential-based gardens that are fully integrated into the curriculum and supported and sustained by parents, faculty and community members.

The Kingsley Learning Garden Club will develop basic knowledge of sustainable gardening practices, grow environmental leaders and enhance the landscape of the Kingsley campus.

If you have questions or want to contact the Schoolmaster Gardener Team:

        Lenn Reed
        Carol Lincoln
        Bernardette Cummings
        Amanda Hensley