TVUSD FroGs Newsletter

The FroGs (Friends of Gardens) Newsletter is here to keep you updated on what is happening in our school gardens at ACES and TVES.

We had a successful summer crop and have now transitioned to our winter vegetables - roots, leaves, stems, and buds: leafy greens, carrots, beets, radishes, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, and more! Our school gardens serve as the backdrop for the hands-on science learning happening at both Agua Caliente and Tanque Verde Elementary schools.

In this issue:

Your tax credit dollars at work: Please donate to our program this holiday season!
New TVES Garden growing strong
ACES Sprouts Outdoor kitchen grant + '25-26 Garden Ambassador Crew
How to help!

Kids at ACES show off veggies they picked from the garden

Your Tax Credit Dollars at Work!

Did you know the Garden Science and Outdoor Learning programming is supported mainly by Tax Credit Donations? This money helps fund hands-on, science and nutrition based activities for students at both Tanque Verde Elementary and Agua Caliente Elementary Schools. Your continued support is critical to the success of this program! All AZ taxpayers are eligible to donate and receive a credit on their taxes -- you do not have to have a student in school to participate! Please encourage your neighbors, friends, and coworkers to donate so we can continue this exceptional programming in our district. Read on for examples of the great experiences students have access to with your support, and please use the links below to make your contribution! For more information on tax credit donations, see https://www.tanqueverdeschools.org/taxcreditdonation.

Tax Credit Donation - Agua Caliente Elementary Garden

Tax Credit Donation - Tanque Verde Elementary Garden

Searching compost for decomposers

Picking and eating fresh veggies

Experimenting with plant growth

Making recipes with garden produce

Investigating natural sciences

Improving the garden with teamwork!

Students sing the Garden Song at the Ribbon Cutting ceremony for the new TVES garden

Some of the 1st grade students at Tanque Verde Elementary helped to write an update about our brand new garden space:

Who built the garden? by Wyatt

First and second graders built this garden, and kindergarteners too, along with Mrs. Goepfrich and adult volunteers.

Where is the garden? by Olivia

The garden is at Tanque Verde Elementary School next to the playground and basketball courts.

What is growing in the garden? by Lincoln and Corrine

We planted sunflowers, zinnias and beans in the garden. We also planted broccoli, cauliflower, and chard in cups. Then we put the plants out in the garden. Last we planted carrot, radish, pea, and kale seeds.

When did we start the garden? by Dylan

We planted the first seeds in August and September of 2025.

How did we build the garden? by August and Luke

We filled the bins with soil. We added manure to the soil because plants LOVE manure! Then we set up irrigation so it has water.

Why did we make a garden? by Griffin and Caleb

The garden is cool and fun! We want to eat good food. We also want to learn about growing things and how to be healthy!

Students haul dirt to fill garden bins

Adding the secret ingredient - manure!

Celebrating the first harvest

Garden Ambassadors teach younger students

Tanque Verde High School students install outdoor kitchen

Students prepare recipes using fresh picked ingredients

Students learn about garden plants while picking fresh produce

The Sprouts Foundation has awarded ACES with a $10,000 grant!

This grant funded construction of an outdoor kitchen space adjacent to the garden that includes food prep equipment and supplies so students can engage in cooking lessons using produce from our garden. In addition, the grant is funding a free extracurricular culinary class for students in grades 4-6 to help expand our programming to the upper grades. A special THANK YOU to the students from Tanque Verde High School who helped install the patio for our kitchen space.

For more information about the great work of the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation, visit their website.

Students observe fish in the aquaponics tank

Thirty two 3rd grade students were selected to serve on the 2025-26 Garden Ambassador crew! These students will help lead garden activities for students in Kindergarten and 1st grade, and also assist with garden maintenance plus publicity and outreach. All candidates had to attend trainings and complete an application in order to be accepted into the program -- we are very excited for the strong group of leaders we have this school year! The Garden Ambassadors exemplify our Garden and Outdoor Learning values: Care for Self, Care for Others, Care for the World Around Us.

Students haul a wheelbarrow of garden debris

Both the TVES and ACES gardens are part of a science-based Garden and Outdoor Learning Program for elementary students in TVUSD. The goal of this program is to promote science learning, healthy lifestyles, leadership, and career pathways through hands on exploration in an outdoor setting.