The Amphitheater is Done!

This past week we enjoyed watching the amphitheater come to life. Check out this video created by third grade tech student, Thomas B. Many thanks to Site Structures Landscape, Inc. for showing us how to use a level and create an amphitheater!

Kale Chips and Chard Tacos.... Mmm!

On December 14th the second grade students had the opportunity to cook with Kathy Gunst, ALL AT THE SAME TIME! The morning was a success, with most of the students going for seconds and thirds. Check out the Voice Thread created by Mrs. Gilbride's class or read the article by Ruth Baker.

Community Work Day a Success

Our last community work day of the season was a success! Many thanks to all who were able to come. I saw volunteers shoveling, raking, pushing wheelbarrows, digging, planting, harvesting, and so much more. What a spectacular day and a fantastic community! Make sure you scroll to the bottom to see the video clips and photos! But first, many thanks to today's sponsors!

Donated Materials: In the order of installation on site

Climbing Mounds:

Soil for Climbing Mounds: Bill Renaud Excavation and Trucking

Labor and machines for constructing climbing mounds: Chuck Hugo Landscape with Travis and Paul

Labor and Machines for Climbing Mounds and tree planting: Steve Prisby of All Terrain Landscape

Stone Infinity Circles:

Stone and stone masonry to install Stone Infinity Circles: William F. Avery, Jake and Josh Avery, Rachel (Avery) and Mike Wakefield with Terrence Parker.

Planting and Site Grading:

Labor and Machines for grading and planting: Steve Prisby of All Terrain Landscape

6’ Tall Blue Spruce:  Salmon Falls Nursery

Compost: Piscataqua Landscaping and Mike Wakefield

Top Soil for site: W.F. Avery

Amphitheater:

Labor and Machines for constructing the Concrete Block Amphitheater (forthcoming): Site Structures Landscape, Inc

Concrete Block for Amphitheater: Genest Concrete, Sanford

And there was amazing food, water and coffee too! These were provided by Nature's Way, Carpe Diem and Brixham  General Store. Thank you everyone. 

Such progress! Take a look:

Giving Thanks

I had the opportunity today to take a few pictures of the outdoor classroom. Neither the grey skies nor the wet clay around my feet could dampen my spirits. I am simply amazed and humbled at all that has been accomplished in just over a year. We are so grateful to have this space for our students. Here are a few of the shots I took today. See how the students have taken ownership of their space. What a wonderful community to make this possible. And it doesn't end- next work day November 20th from 10-2 PM to plant birch trees and lay down mulch.

Stone Soup!

Kindergarten friends did more than read "Stone Soup" in their classrooms. On Tuesday, November 8th, kindergarten friends harvested vegetables from the hoophouse for their stone soup. This included a gigantic carrot that took many hands to pull out. The vegetables were prepped by parent volunteers, loaded into crock pots by the students,simmered on Wednesday, and sampled on Thursday. Who knew stone soup could be so good?!?

Our Infinity Path and Climbing Mounds

If you haven't checked out our two newest additions to the outdoor classroom, you need to add it to your to-do list! Terrence Parker introduces us to the Infinity Path and Climbing Mounds. Many thanks to the Avery family and Bill Renaud. What a fabulous space!

If you look carefully, you might just spot a new friend... this is a picture of the first stone on the southern side of the Infinity Path. Don't worry, he's friendly! Carved by Bill Avery.

Apples. Apples, Apples!

"Mmm!", "Wow, that's sour!" and "That's my blue-ribbon favorite" were just a few of the comments heard as students sampled a variety of local apples during Wednesday's lunch block. Students in grades one through three lined the length of the hallway, eager to sample (and sample again!) the tasty treats. "This is the best apple I've ever eaten" said one third grader. Students seemed to favor the Honeycrisp, Cortland and Fuji varieties while the staff enjoyed the Blue Pearman. "It's a mix of sweet and sour and it's crunchy too" commented third grade teacher, Rachel Wendell, as she headed back to her classroom after supervising third grade lunch. An apple for the teacher too? How appropriate. The apples came from McDougal"s Orchards in Springvale, Maine and were left over from Central School's School Garden Open House.

Principal Vicki Stewart slices and dices.

Students think about how they would describe each apple's taste.

How did it taste? Students keep track using tally marks.

First School Garden Open House A Hit

Today's open house was a feast for the senses- the smell of the moist plants in the hoop house, the taste of apples (12 varieties!), the bleating of the sheep and soft neighs of the ponies, feeling the wool as it was worked into a ball, the sight of families as they built their own scarecrows. I learned about invasive insects, that the apples on our tree ARE edible (!), how to make felted wool, how to grow giant pumpkins and that my favorite kind of apple is blue pearman. I saw children and adults reach out to touch (and climb upon) a 900 lb pumpkin. I saw a miniature pony munch on wildflowers. I saw children carefully placing pieces of tissue paper on plastic lanterns. It was a wonderful day. Thank you to all of you who made it possible, especially:

Central PTO
Pauliina Pope
SoBo Central
University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Denise Trabold
Kris Bisson and her Girl Scout Troop
Sally Gilbride
Terrence Parker
Kathy Gunst
Maine Dept. of Agriculture
Leigh Robinson
Carla Swasey
Full Circle Thrift Store
Bill and Gretchen Straub "The Pumpkin Lady"
McDougal Orchards
Marshwood Education Foundation
The Works Health and Fitness Center
Hilltop Fun Center
Our many, many volunteers!

If you missed today's Open House, you can catch us at the Quarkfest, October 9th at the Brookford Farm in Rollinsford, NH.

Over 900 lbs of pure fall fun!

On October 1st Central Elementary School will be hosting its first School Garden Open House from 10-2. Visitors will be able to:

Tour the Hoop House and Outdoor Classroom
View student projects and "hopes and dreams" for the hoop house
Try a variety of apples at the Girl Scouts' Apple Tasting Table
Learn about wool through felting
Check out an Invasive Insects display
Make Your Own Scarecrow
Pet bunnies, chickens, baby goats and a miniature pony
Have your picture taken with a 900 pound pumpkin and "The Pumpkin Lady"
Learn more about SOBO Central
Register to win Kathy Gunst's new book, a membership to The Works or laser passes to Hilltop Fun Center
Learn more about Central School's PTO
Participate in a community picnic

We hope to see you there!

"Notes from A Maine Kitchen"

Kathy Gunst's latest book, "Notes from A Maine Kitchen", is now available. A literary cookbook, Kathy shares twelve warm, heartfelt stories of life in Maine along with numerous recipes made from fresh, local foods. To learn more about her book, check out "A Love Letter to Maine". For a signed copy, visit River Run on September 26th at 7 PM. Central School's school garden is mentioned in Kathy's chapter "November" which highlights the issue of hunger in Maine.

Central School Hosts School Garden Open House

Central Elementary School will be participating in the Maine School Garden Open House on October 1st from 10-2 PM. There will be many activities including guided tours, taste tests, sheep sheering demonstrations, a petting zoo and more. Stay tuned for more information!

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20110922-NEWS-109220407

Fresh Food Express Featured in Taste of the Seacoast

Read "Chefs Move to Schools", an article about Central School's very first salad bar from their own hoop house, written by our own Amy Bevan!
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/98e2eeea#/98e2eeea/56

Q and A With Kathy Gunst

While talking about her new book, "Notes from a Maine Kitchen", author and chef Kathy Gunst makes mention of Central School's hoop house and guest-chef program, the Fresh Food Express.
http://www.pressherald.com/life/audience/fresh-fare_2011-09-04.html?searchterm=kathy+gunst

Fresh Food Express Lived Up to Its Name- Central's First Salad Bar a Hit

Salad Dressings

Third grade students had the opportunity to make salad dressings for tomorrow's salad bar. Here are the recipes if you would like to make them for your own family:

ITALIAN DRESSING (ALSO CALLED VINAIGRETTE)

1.  MIX 2 TABLESPOONS MUSTARD WITH SALT AND PEPPER.

2.  ADD 1/4 CUP CHOPPED CHIVES

3.  ADD 2/3 CUP VINEGAR

4.  WHISK IN 1 ½ CUPS OLIVE OIL AND WHISK TOGETHER

5.  TASTE AND ADD MORE SALT, PEPPER, OR OIL IF NEEDED.

6.  PLACE IN A JAR, COVER, AND KEEP IN THE REFRIGERATOR.


GREEN GREEN GODDESS DRESSING

1.        IN A BLENDER ADD 3 TABLESPOONS CHOPPED BASIL, ½ CUP CHIVES, 6 CHOPPED SCALLIONS AND ½ CUP PARSLEY. BLEND.

2.        ADD 1 CUP YOGURT TO THE BLENDER, 4 TABLESPOONS LEMON JUICE, 4 TABLESPOONS WINE VINEGAR AND 1 CUP OLIVE OIL. BLEND

3.        ADD SALT, PEPPER AND MORE LEMON AND OIL IF NEEDED.

4.        PLACE IN A GLASS CONTAINER OR JAR AND REFRIGERATE.


RANCH DRESSING

1.        WHISK 1 ½ CUPS MAYONNAISE, 1 CUP BUTTERMILK IN A BOWL.

2.        ADD 4 TABLESPOONS FINELY CHOPPED PARSLEY, 4 TABLESPOONS CHOPPED CELERY LEAVES, 3 TABLESPOONS LEMON JUICE, 3 TEASPOONS MUSTARD AND 1 ½ TEASPOONS ONION POWDER. ADD 2 TABLESPOONS CHOPPED FRESH DILL.

3.        TASTE FOR SEASONING AND ADD SALT AND PEPPER. COVER AND REFRIGERATE.

Local Farms Support Central School's First Salad Bar

Tuesday, June 14th will mark the first time Central Students will have the opportunity to dine on the produce from their hoop house. This will include radishes, kale, spinach, peas, microgreens, beet greens and more. Third grade students will make their own salad dressings in preparation for this special event. Many thanks to the following farms for supplying additional veggies to make sure there is enough to go around:
Old Fields Farm in South Berwick
Garen's Greens at Riverside Farm
John Forti, Master Gardener at Strawbery Banke
Moondance Farm, South Berwick
Brookford Farm, Rollinsfod, NH

Dining on Greens, our Greens! Attention Volunteers

It is time to enjoy the first harvest from the hoop house at Central School! Thank you so much for all your help in making this a reality!

To celebrate, chef Kathy Gunst and principal Vicki Stewart are organizing a salad bar for Tuesday, June 14th. (This is also the field day for the school.) The salad bar will be free to all students (and volunteers). We will enjoy several kinds of greens, peas, radishes and turnips the students have raised in the hoop house, in addition to fresh produce generously donated from several farms. We will also get to enjoy salad dressing prepared by third grade classes on Monday!

If you can help wash, chop and serve items for the salad bar, please join Kathy any time between 8:30am and 1pm on Tuesday the 14th. We will be prepping veggies in the cafeteria and serving them in the outdoor courtyard. Bring a salad spinner and a peeler if you have one! We are hoping to have parent volunteers preparing the salad, as well as helping serve different items from the salad bar during the all-school lunch hour.

Please let us know if you can join us!

Hope to see you there, and thank you again for all you have done to help make this possible!

Central School's Hoop House and the ReWilding

Next Work Day June 11th 11 AM- 2 PM

Please come help us complete the fence around the hoop house, mulch and weed the orchard, finish the log walk, prune trees and begin work on the amphitheater for the Outdoor Classroom at Central School. Bring a shovel and gardening tools if you can - and a friend or two! Come for an hour or for the day - this work day won't be possible without your help! Hope to see you there!

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony- More Press!

New learning opportunity in South Berwick | SeacoastOnline.com

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Seacoast Online

Click here to view the article in Seacoast Online on the ribbon cutting ceremony with Chellie Pingree.

Outdoor Classroom on WCSH6.com Around Town

Here is a super write up on the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Outdoor Classroom. It was a moving experience, especially for the businesses that donated their time and resources and now got to see how it has affected the students and community. Click here for the article.

Outdoor Classroom- A Year in Review

Fine Arts Week Celebration

Thank you Marshwood Education Foundation and Central School PTO for an amazing Fine Arts Week! Our week with eco-artist Miss Cynthia was over before we were ready. Students had a blast creating animal habitats and more in the outdoor classroom. Even a little rain couldn't dampen our spirits! In the gym, all classes got to try out our new climbing wall... what fun! Ms. Poli made nature journals with the students that were decorated with sticks and nature objects found around their homes. In the music room, preK and K friends learned about thunderstorm soundscapes and created their own using drums. The first grade friends learned about bird calls and made their own binoculars with Maine Audobon Society member, Anne Watson. Second grade friends mastered maypole and folk dances with South Berwick resident, Kris Bisson while the third grade students created soundscapes using Garageband. Our eight day Fine Arts Week ended with a celebration that included reflections, dancing and a slide show. To view the slide show, click here. Many thanks to ALL our volunteers, including the high school students from Marshwood and Berwick Academy for helping us get our supplies ready!