Exciting New Enrichments and Events!

Narcissus Bulb in Bloom from the
Fall Bulbs and Winter Seeds enrichment

Ann Arbor Learning Community's enrichment program has provided students with many unique gardening, environmental and outdoor educational opportunities this school year. In early fall children planted perennials, learned about vermicomposting and built bird houses that were distributed to area businesses.

Other enrichments included a Fall Bulbs and Winter Seed Sowing enrichment course during which students planted tulips and garlic in many school gardens, learned how to overwinter seed trays for spring planting, and how to force bulbs to bloom indoors. Some of the children also worked on creating a fairy garden, building space outside one of the Early Primary classrooms.

The most recent GEO-Ed committee meeting brought forth some exciting ideas for upcoming enrichment activities. Over the next few months students will have the opportunity to help build an outdoor classroom, make terra cotta irrigation bottles for school gardens, and participate in the creation of a rain garden.

Mark Your Calendar for the Garden Resource Fair on March 17th!
The GEO-Ed committee is organizing a Garden Resource Fair in March for teachers, students, and parents.  The event will take place from 3pm to 5pm on March 17th, and will coincide with AALC's annual school-wide Eating of the Green celebration which promotes eating naturally green foods.

Our vision is to provide information to help teachers work on the gardens at school and encourage different types of gardening at home and in the community. We're hoping to round up a few more families for our school Adopt-a-Garden program as well.

Families will be able to get advice from master gardeners, learn tips for planning and starting their own garden, attend a tour around AALC's garden areas and more. We are inviting a number of organizations to join us for the event, including Project Grow.

More event details coming soon!

In the meantime, feel free to join us for the next GEO-Ed committee meeting on Tuesday, March 3rd at 3:45pm in the Great Room.

Reminder:  Seed Sale Fundraiser Ends March 6th!
The annual AALC PTSO Fedco Seed Sale Fundraiser ends March 6th! Plan your garden during these cold, snowy days and invest in our school at the same time. This seed sale offers both conventional and organic seeds from a reputable seed cooperative in Maine.

Go to www.fedcoseeds.com/forms/aalc.pdf and www.fedcoseeds.com/forms/aalcOG.pdf to view and print order forms. All orders and checks (made out to AALC PTSO) are due by 3/6/15.