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Cuda Care Playground Adventure

School:: New Smyrna Beach High School
Subject:: Career & Technical Education
Teacher:: Kristy Slifkin
Students Impacted:: 140
Grade:: 9-12
Date:: September 5, 2023

70% Funded

Only $300.00 Needed

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 120

Kristy Slifkin

New Smyrna Beach High School

Early Childhood Education Classroom

Cuda Care Preschool

IMAPCT REPORT

In 2023, our preschool classroom received a $700 grant from the FUTURES foundation to enhance our playground and teaching garden. With this funding, we purchased materials and equipment to create a butterfly/pollinator-friendly greenspace for our students to learn about nature.

Specifically, we used the grant money to:

- Purchase hibiscus plants and banana trees for our teaching garden. These plants provide color and interest for students to observe throughout the year. The banana trees will eventually produce fruit that students can harvest and taste.

- We also purchased 2 butterfly habitats/gardens and a ladybug habitat. These allow students to observe the full lifecycle of butterflies and ladybugs up close.

- We purchased large steppingstones. These will be arranged to create a meandering path through the new garden area. This provides interactive elements for students to balance and hop along as they explore the space.

Key Outcomes:

- Increased observation and science skills: The new habitats and garden plants have provided many rich learning experiences related to observing insect and plant life cycles, life needs, change over time, and more. Students are gaining important scientific observation and inference skills.

- Improved sensory motor skills: The steppingstone path gives students daily opportunities to balance, hop, and navigate through the space. This builds their coordination.

- Enhanced appreciation of nature: Caring for the plants and insects allows children to connect more deeply with the natural world. They are learning to be gentle, patient and respectful of living things.

- More engaging outdoor learning area: The new natural elements have made our playground more varied and interesting for students. They are often drawn to this area during outdoor time.

Sustainability:

Students will use the habitats, garden beds, and steppingstones for years to come. We will replenish garden plants as needed. With proper use and maintenance, these should enrich our program over the long term. The FUTURES foundation grant had an immediate impact and also laid the groundwork for ongoing nature education.

Conclusion: The FUTURES foundation grant enabled our classroom to greatly enhance the playground as a learning environment. Students are gaining hands-on experience with science concepts, developing motor skills, and forming positive connections with nature. We are extremely grateful for the foundation's support to provide new interactive outdoor learning opportunities for our preschool children. This sets them on a path to be engaged, caring learners and environmental stewards.

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Cuda Care Garden

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Cuda Care Garden

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Cuda Care Garden

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Cuda Care Garden

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Cuda Care Garden

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Cuda Care Garden

Original Grant Overview

Goal

I am writing to request funding for the establishment of an outdoor garden area at New Smyrna Beach High School for the Cuda Care Preschool. Our preschool is dedicated to providing a high-quality early childhood education to children in our community. Our project aims to create a vibrant and educational outdoor garden area that will enhance the learning experiences of our preschool students. We believe that connecting children with nature at an early age fosters a love for the environment and promotes valuable life skills. The outdoor garden will provide a safe and engaging space for our students to explore, learn, and play.

What will be done with my students

Standards and Benchmarks that will be covered include; VPK standard A. Scientific Inquiry Through Exploration and Discovery. 1. Uses senses to explore and understand their social and physical environment. B. Life Science 1. Demonstrates knowledge related to living things and their environments.
CTE Standards and Benchmarks 24.0 Plan, implement and evaluate developmentally appropriate physical and development activities for preschool children.
Students will plan:
1. Garden Infrastructure: We plan to build raised garden beds, pathways, and seating areas that are child-friendly and accessible to our young students.
2. Plant Selection: The garden will feature a variety of age-appropriate plants, trees flowers, and vegetables that children can cultivate, observe, and learn about through hands-on experiences.
3. Educational Materials: We will develop age-appropriate educational materials and resources to accompany the garden, including books, signage, and interactive displays to teach children about plant life cycles, nutrition, and environmental stewardship.
4.Outdoor Classroom Space: A designated area within the garden will serve as an outdoor classroom, complete with shaded seating areas allowing for outdoor lessons and activities.

Benefits to my students

The outdoor garden at NSBHS Cuda Care will offer several benefits to our students and community:

1. Improved Early Childhood Education: The garden will serve as an extension of our classroom, providing opportunities for hands-on learning, sensory experiences, and a deeper understanding of the natural world.
2. Health and Nutrition: Children will learn about growing vegetables, healthy eating habits, and the importance of fresh produce in their diets.
3. Environmental Awareness: Through the garden, we will instill a sense of environmental responsibility and conservation in our students.
4. Community Engagement: We will invite parents, caregivers, and community members to participate in garden-related activities, fostering a sense of community involvement.

Conclusion:
We are enthusiastic about the potential of this outdoor garden project to positively impact the lives of our preschool students and the broader community. Your support in funding this project would be instrumental in making this vision a reality.

Thank you for considering our grant request. Together, we can create an outdoor garden that will nurture the growth and development of our young learners.

Budget Narrative

We are seeking a grant of $1,000 to fund the establishment of this outdoor garden. The budget breakdown is as follows:

• Garden Infrastructure: $200
• Plant Selection and Maintenance: $500
• Educational Materials: $100
• Outdoor Seating and Shade: $200
Total Project Cost: $1,000