Gardens & Grounds
The Gardens & Grounds PTA committee is tasked with maintaining ornamental beds around the school grounds, as well as the Fox Garden, where various vegetables and flowers are grown. While the district maintains the lawns and trees, we work to augment the landscaping with beautiful shrubbery and flowers for year-round visual interest. The Fox Garden also offers learning opportunities both in the classroom and at after-school events.
Our Mission
Beautify our school campus through well-planned landscaping
Organize volunteers to complete routine garden maintenance
Grow vegetables year-round to expose students to food and gardening concepts
Bring outdoor educational opportunities to students in and out of the classroom
Incorporate sustainable practices into our gardening efforts
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 in the garden and avoid planting anything toxic to pets or people, but when in doubt, don't eat.
We teach the students that "we only taste when we know tasting is safe".
Participants in the Fox Garden Club with After School Enrichment will be given opportunities to sample food grown in the garden.
Excess produce is donated to neighborhood food pantries and local families in need.
Our compost bins are for food scraps and plant material ONLY. No trash, please.
The garden is a pollinator-friendly space, where you may encounter bees, wasps, dragonflies, butterflies, birds, and other insects and wildlife. Please respect their space. Those with severe allergies are encouraged to keep a safe distance.
Opportunities to get involved
Sign up for a workday on the school grounds to complete routine landscape maintenance
Volunteer for the Fox Garden Club in the After School Enrichment program
Attend our annual Earth Day celebration every 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 and look for school announcements to stay up to date. To volunteer, don't hesitate to contact Amber Steel or Rachael Young.
2023-24 Garden & Grounds Work Days
| September 9th | 9am - 12pm |
| October 9th ~ School Holiday | 9am - 12pm |
| November 11th | 9am - 12pm |
| December 9th | 1pm - 4pm |
| January 13th | 1pm - 4pm |
| February 10th | 1pm - 4pm |
| March 9th | 9am - 12pm |
| April 13th ~ Earth Day Celebration | 9am - 12pm |
| May 11th |
9am - 12pm |
Your 2023-24 Gardens & Grounds Co-Chairs
Amber Steel
My 2nd grader, George, and my preschooler, Penelope, certainly keep me busy, but when I'm not managing the kids and the house, I love to get out in my garden. In 2023 I completed certification as a Virginia Master Gardener through Chesterfield County, and participate in many local outreach efforts to educate and engage the public on gardening-related topics. I'm an unapologetic bookworm and enjoy collecting new hobbies, 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 1st grade, my son Nathan is 3 years old, and we are expecting our third boy in November! 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
