Gardens & Grounds
The Gardens & Grounds PTA committee aims to create a beautiful, safe outdoor space for students and staff.
We maintain ornamental beds and the Fox Garden, where vegetables and flowers are grown.
The Fox Garden also offers learning opportunities both in the classroom and at after-school events.
Our Mission
Complete routine garden maintenance
Beautify our school campus
Grow vegetables year-round
Bring outdoor educational opportunities to students
Incorporate sustainable practices
Notes about the Fox Garden
Our vegetable garden is free of insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides.
We avoid planting common allergens, like wheat, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts.
Students are encouraged to harvest from the garden.
We try to label plants and avoid anything toxic to pets or people, but when in doubt, don't eat.
We teach students that "we only taste when we know tasting is safe."
Participants in After School Enrichment will be given opportunities to sample produce.
Excess produce is donated to neighborhood food pantries and local families.
Our compost bins are for food scraps and plant material ONLY. No trash, please.
The garden is a pollinator-friendly space where bees, wasps, dragonflies, butterflies, birds, and other insects and wildlife may be encountered. Please respect their space. Those with severe allergies are encouraged to keep a safe distance.
Opportunities to get involved
Volunteer for the After School Enrichment program
Attend our annual Earth Day celebration in April
Donate seedlings, seeds, tools, or other garden materials
We welcome participation from Scouts, local service organizations, and individual students needing volunteer hours. We will sign for hours completed.
Join our newsletter in the Fox Den. For questions, contact Amber Steel or Rachael Young.
2024-2025 Garden & Grounds Work Days
Your 2024-25 Gardens & Grounds Co-Chairs
Amber Steel
My 3rd grader, George, and my pre-Kindergartener, Penelope, certainly keep me busy, but I love to get out in my garden. In 2023 I completed certification as a Virginia Master Gardener through Chesterfield County. I participate in many local outreach efforts to educate and engage the public on gardening-related topics. I'm an unapologetic bookworm, too. I had a 10-year career as a marketing professional in the cybersecurity industry, and still occasionally freelance as a content creator, but my true passion is working in the dirt and getting others to join me!
Rachael Young
My son Alex is in 2nd grade, Nathan is 4 years old, and Oliver will be 1 this fall! My auditing career is on hold while I stay home with the boys for a few years. I enjoy reading, hiking, camping, cooking, traveling, and spending time with my family & friends. I joined Gardens and Grounds because I love being outside and want to help kids learn about growing nutritious foods!
Gardens & Grounds is also Sponsored By
