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A growing concern

To say that the Richmond Jewish Day School is a growing concern would be an understatement. That's because the campus on the "Highway to Heaven" on No.

To say that the Richmond Jewish Day School is a growing concern would be an understatement.

That's because the campus on the "Highway to Heaven" on No. 5 Road has taken advantage of the fact it is situated on agricultural land to provide a unique learning opportunity for its students by starting an edible garden program.

"How better to teach about nature, ecology, life cycles, science and nutrition than to plant and harvest?" said principal Abba Brodt. "School administration and teachers partnered with some amazing gardeners, parent and grandparent volunteers to help build and develop a number of large garden plots. Each class, from kindergarten to Grade 7 has their own garden plot."

In total, there are eight garden plots measuring roughly 20 feet long by 10 feet wide.

The garden is tied into the school's dual curriculum (B.C. Curriculum and Judaic Studies) in a variety of ways, Brodt said, incorporating studies about seasons and weather, to ecosystems and health, plus comparing rainfall levels in British Columbia to Israel, and how that impacts the ability to grow food.

All grade levels, plus the iCare Daycare, which operates a daycare on the site, take part in the garden. Plus, each grade assumes responsibility for planting, tending and harvesting the produce grown. Students are also involved in a number of hands-on projects connected to the garden.

"Seeing kids get their hands dirty, literally, is a wonderful thing," Brodt said. "Also, local Richmond seniors have been involved at various times, tending to the garden over the course of the summer."

Seeing the garden bloom and produce a variety of crops including kale, beets, cucumber, squash, zucchini, strawberries, beans during the summer months is an amazing sight, Brodt said.

"When the kids plant in the spring, there is little to show for it by the time the school year ends in June. But when they return in September, the garden is in full bloom," he said.

When it comes time to harvesting their hard work, the students get the opportunity to transform their crops into food they enjoy at the school.

All remaining produce is cleaned, bundled and sold by students to the school's families with the proceeds donated to the Jewish Food Bank, to help support those in need.