Southampton Elementary’s New Garden
On Wednesday I attended the 4th District meeting where the focus was on Richmond Public Schools (a more specific post will be coming) and one of the items mentioned was Southampton Elementary’s new garden. David Hathcock fills in the details. Good stuff from the folks in the Southampton neighborhood.
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“Mary Argenteanu of the Richmond Audubon Society (RAS) and students from Southampton Elementary School work on the creation of a new garden area at the school. The program, sponsored by the school staff and RAS, is an all-volunteer effort to create an outdoor learning experience for the students as well as to beautify the school and the neighborhood. The gardens were expected to provide neighborhood “curb appeal” for Southampton, to support the teaching of key concepts of the Standards of Learning life science expectations, and to provide “hands on” opportunities for the students. The improvements this fall call for the creation of a native plant garden and raised plant beds. While the actual construction will be done by adults, the children will be involved in maintenance and enjoyment of the garden, as well use the garden as a learning lab. Ultimately the garden will also have bird feeders and bird baths, a table and benches for the community.
Next year, the goal is to create a path through the woods behind the school reaching to Southampton Recreation Center, adding an amenity to the neighborhood, as well as a learning experience for the students.
The program is supported solely by contributions, and the partnership is asking the community associations, businesses in the area and individuals to contribute toward the ultimate cost.”
Love love LOVE public/private partnering! Our schools need our neighbors and our neighbors need the schools.
If you live in this district and do not have a child at Southampton, why not? The school is old. It does need replacing. But what’s happening inside the walls is top notch. It may be the best performing Title One school in the Commonwealth.
I spoke to a parent at our pool this summer whose son had just finished K at Southampton – they’re thrilled with the school, particularly their Spanish immersion program.
[...] and photos contributed by David Hathcock. Previous post on Southampton Garden. Posted by Richard.H at 12:36PM under schools | Tags: [...]
We live in Southhampton School District and have a 4 year old that may start there next year. We would love to hear more about the school and the spanish immersion program. If anyone has any info, please respond…
Mike, If noone posts here, I’d suggest contacting the school. Most of the schools have open houses december/january for prospective students. I’d give the Principal, Ms. Linda Bennett a call. http://www.richmond.k12.va.us/schools/southampton
Our daughter has been at Fisher for pre-k and K and i’ve been pleasantly surprised that they have spanish twice a week in those classes.
We’ll continue to post what news we can about our district schools, although it can be hard to come by! Schools seem to be so focused, rightly, on the classroom that PR falls low on their list! ;)
If Mike will call my office at 320-2454, I will put him in touch with school, arrange tour, etc. It’s a GOOD school.
David
My wife works at the school several days a week as the school nurse, and she’s been nothing but impressed by the teachers and administration. We live a few blocks away on Idlewyld and plan to one day have our kids attend Southampton. It is indeed a shame that more children from the neighborhood do not attend given the school. Putting your children in private schools robs them of the opportunity of growing up in a positive multi-cultural environment that is indicative of the real world they’ll grow up to be in. Kudos to this program. I’m looking forward to opportunities to help the school.