TVUSD FroGs Newsletter

Our winter gardens at both Agua Caliente (ACES) and Tanque Verde Elementary (TVES) have given us a bountiful harvest of leafy greens, root vegetables, broccoli, cauliflower, and herbs! As we transition to warmer months, we have begun growing our warm season crops - tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, and flowers.

In this issue:

• ACES Fundraiser Plant Sale Success!
• Fusion Fest brings over 300 people to the TVES garden
• Support our garden programs with a tax credit donation!

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! 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.

This past January, the 3rd grade Garden Ambassadors began planting vegetable, herb, and flower seeds in our school greenhouse. These plants were cared for by students and volunteers for over two months until they were big enough to sell. At the plant sale on March 9th, we sold over 150 plants, bringing in just over $800! The Garden Ambassadors will be voting in the coming weeks to decide how to spend these funds to help improve our ACES garden space and educational programming. A portion of money raised will also go to the Weekend Eats program to help TVUSD families with food security. A big THANK YOU to all of our student and adult volunteers who helped care for plants and manage the sale!

In February, Tanque Verde Elementary hosted "Fusion Fest" to celebrate learning in the areas of visual art, science, PE, music, and literacy. Over 300 people attended this event, and the Tanque Verde school garden was open to families for exploration and snacking! Student leaders in first grade helped make a picture scavenger hunt that families could do together to get more familiar with the new garden. Veggie samples were also available, including cauliflower, peas, and carrots. The event was many students' first opportunity to pick and eat fresh food from our new garden space, and they were excited to see and taste all the garden has to offer!

Both the TVES and ACES gardens are part of a science-based Garden Science 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.

Help us keep the learning going (and help keep Wade's food bowl full):

• Volunteer - Sign up using our interest form: https://forms.gle/V6zN96po8HhSbkXD8
• Make a tax credit donation:

Tanque Verde Elementary: https://tinyurl.com/f52jxedh

Agua Caliente Elementary: https://tinyurl.com/4ef6m53j

Please share these links with family, friends, and coworkers to maximize our impact for students!

THANK YOU to all for your continued support. 🌻

Deb Goepfrich

Garden Science / Outdoor Learning Coordinator

Tanque Verde School District

dgoepfrich@tanq.org

"To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow."