Sustainability at a Glance

Hello everyone!

Spring has officially arrived, and we’ve been soaking up all the good vibes it brings! The warm weather and sunshine have been amazing, though some of us might be struggling with the pollen! But just like everything in nature, the timing of the pollen’s arrival has been a perfect fit for our flower study, giving us a connection to what we're learning.

A few weeks ago, we kicked off our plant unit by diving into the different parts of a plant. So far, we've covered seeds, roots, stems, and leaves, and right now, we’re exploring flowers. The students have been busy dissecting each part to better understand how they function and why they’re all so important.

As part of our learning, we’ve had plenty of opportunities to taste various edible parts of plants. I’m so proud of all the students for stepping outside their comfort zones and trying new things! Some students tasted certain veggies for the first time and were surprised to discover they love cauliflower, while others decided arugula isn’t quite their thing (yet!).

So far, we’ve tasted broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, lettuce, spinach, arugula, and red cabbage—yum! Ask your student which one was their favorite!

This week, we’re continuing our exploration of flowers, focusing on their parts and what each one does. And since the students love to taste anything, we’re also learning how to identify edible plants in nature—many of which also have medicinal properties. You might be surprised to know that several students can confidently identify many plants already!

In Upper Elementary, we've taken this study even further by participating in a Citizen Science Pollinator Count. Students have chosen spots to sit and observe different plant species, recording which pollinators visit. We then submit our findings to The Great Sunflower Project! It’s been fascinating to observe just how many types of pollinators there are. While bees and butterflies often get the spotlight, there’s actually a huge variety of pollinators—and not all of them like the same plants. Thankfully, there are so many different kinds! Without our wonderful pollinators, we wouldn’t have nearly as much diversity in our food system. So, next time you’re enjoying a meal, take a moment to thank a pollinator, because without a doubt, they played a major role in what’s on your plate.

Please enjoy the many photos from the last few weeks!