Published in the August 25, 2016 edition.
WAKEFIELD – Students at Galvin Middle School and Woodville Elementary School put their green thumbs to use this summer planting vegetables and herbs as part of Wakefield Co-operative Bank’s ‘Teaching Kids to Grow’ initiative.
The program teaches children how to cultivate crops and give back to their community by providing fresh produce to Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry.
‘Teaching Kids to Grow’ began last July with students from Galvin Middle School planting over 20 vegetable and herb plants in one of the three raised beds in the back of the school. Now, one year later the program has expanded to Woodville Elementary School with a multitude of vegetables and herbs being planted – five whole beds to be exact.
Robin Litwalk, occupational therapist at Woodville Elementary, spearheaded the school’s program with the support of Principal Michelle Zottoli, teachers Andrea Barone and Amanda Betts and volunteers Jessica Medeiros of the Woodville PTO and school custodian Pat Manzi, who watered the gardens this summer. Litwalk also enlisted the help of her husband to build the new beds using a donation of wood and supplies from Wakefield Co-operative Bank and Willie from Willowtree Garden & Flower Center in Wakefield generously donated soil and plants.
“I was so excited when I heard about Wakefield Co-operative Bank’s Teaching Kids to Grow program at Galvin Middle school and immediately wanted to bring it our students here at Woodville,” said Litwalk.
“The benefits of teaching our youth to plant and cultivate fresh produce and herbs are endless. Gardening offers hands-on, experiential learning opportunities in a wide array of subjects, including natural and social sciences, language arts, visual arts and nutrition. It is a way for our children to learn many new life skills such as responsibility, self-confidence, cooperation and creativity – all while having a great time outside, digging in the dirt! The experience of planting and cultivating fresh produce to give to someone in need is more rewarding and teaches more about life, than some activities that happen inside the classroom. I believe every school should have a program like Teaching Kids to Grow and we so appreciative of Wakefield Co-operative Bank for providing us with the opportunity.”
Janet Rivers, mortgage relationship manager at Wakefield Co-operative Bank, established the concept behind Teaching Kids to Grow. When Janet came up with the idea to build raised garden beds and grow crops to donate last summer, she was completely unaware that there were already four beautiful beds in the rear of the newly renovated Galvin Middle School. Once she found out about the beds she approached the school in hopes of finding a group of students willing to collaborate on the project.
“It has been wonderful to see this idea blossom into such a great program that affects so many people,” said Rivers. “Teaching Kids to Grow is very unique in that it ties the community together – the students, the food pantry and the bank – creating a harmonious relationship. We are teaching the youth of our community how important it is to support, help and give back to one another and that lesson is invaluable. I cannot wait to see where Teaching Kids to Grow takes us and how many more people it will touch. This program is a true testament to the character of our schools, community and willingness of our teachers to go the extra mile. I could not be more proud to be a part of it!”
