Crow Leadership Academy’s Garden Club showcased its harvest during a fun, tasty event last week. The event featured a family night in the school garden that welcomed families, students, and community partners to celebrate the school’s outdoor learning space.
Arlington ISD Food and Nutrition Services team joined the celebration by offering a taste-testing station with dishes made from student-grown ingredients. Families sampled a southern-spiced sweet potato and black-eyed pea bowl while learning more about proper nutrition.
“They wanted to highlight the things that we’ve been growing while getting kids more comfortable with vegetables and tasting,” said Jen Ruby, the International Baccalaureate coordinator at Crow.
Ruby invited several community partners to participate, including the MadeGreene School Garden Education team, led by Mary Jo Greene, and the Tarrant Area Water District. Both groups hosted educational booths and engaged families in hands-on activities.
“Incorporating outside time is a real bonus for the kids in school,” Greene said. “You can really tell when a space is utilized and it’s really loved and adored by kids in the family, and you can see that tonight.”
The garden includes raised beds, a tree orchard, a shed, play settings for younger students, and a pergola at its center.
“Not all school gardens are the same,” Greene said. “Every single school garden is different because every single school is different. Just giving the kids this opportunity is just incredible.”
Looking ahead, Crow Elementary will host a work day at 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 6, to organize the new shed, build shelves, and prepare garden beds for the next growing season.
Families interested in volunteering can call the front office at Crow Leadership Academy or contact IB Coordinator Jen Ruby for details.