Garden Program
ABOUT OUR SCHOOL GARDEN
The Los Cerritos Urban Farmyard has been in existence since the year 2000. It occupies an area of approximately 60 ft. by 80 ft. Built on a formerly grassy site, it has grown from 4 raised beds, utilized by 2 teachers, to 22 raised beds, utilized by all teachers and students. It includes pathways made of decomposed granite, borders of flowers and herbs, 6 fruit trees, benches for an "outdoor classroom," a composting area, a "barn" for storage and a chicken coop.
The school garden connects to the classroom in a variety of ways. It provides students with the hands-on experience of planting and maintaining a garden. This fosters a sense of responsibility and respect for the environment and all living things. The cooperative spirit, which arises through gardening together, transfers to the classroom in a strong sense of community and appreciation for others. Students have been able to observe worms, insects, lizards, frogs, butterflies and birds naturally in our organic garden. Ours is not the typical "big city" experience, especially since we have our own chicken coop. Come and see for yourself. There is nothing else like it in the Long Beach Unified School District!
OUR GARDEN TEACHER
OUR GARDEN TEACHER
Our school partners with Ground Education Long Beach which helps to plant the seeds of success one student at a time, helping students THINK, EXPLORE, & CONNECT in school gardens. As a non-profit, Ground Education proudly serves Long Beach Unified School District. At Los Cerritos our Ground Education garden teacher is Amy Rosenberg, known to her students as Ms. Cricket. When she is not working in the garden she stays busy with her family, raising her two kids and living a creative life. A student of nature & the world, Ms. Cricket has worked in unique environments which include the Channel Islands off the California coast and the tropical Pacific islands of Micronesia. Closer to home, she was the first educator hired at the Aquarium of Pacific in Long Beach, and eventually became the Aquarium's Director of Education. Throughout her career she has designed and created meaningful educational programs that help others learn, grow and appreciate our natural world.
Best,
Amy
(Ms. Cricket)