From the Executive Director It is sometimes hard to believe that it has been a year since our country required social distancing, hand sanitizing, mask wearing, and sometimes lockdown and quarantining. Our lives have changed in so many ways -- some tragic, others in some not-so-great ways. But this past year may have provided a few silver linings.
Living Classroom has much to be grateful for, and we did have a few silver linings! Most importantly, we all stayed healthy -- our program changed as it needed to, and Living Classroom actually thrived -- although we sorely missed seeing our students.
As we look forward to the next academic year of “normal,” we are looking at the possibility of continuing to use our new virtual lessons that were adapted from our in-person lessons to create an alternative program option for potential new schools, school districts and community programs.
We are looking at how our curriculum can tie in more closely to one of Living Classroom’s goals: to inspire children to learn about and to value the natural world through garden-based education. We will assess how we can align our curriculum with the importance of nature and being outside, addressing food insecurity and hunger, the effects of climate change, and water conservation -- things we have all learned about our planet this past year.
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With Deep Gratitude
We have completed work on Jose Vargas School’s edible and native gardens with funds received from the Los Altos Community Foundation, the Santa Clara Water District, and the Mountain View Kiwanis Club.
Thanks to the Garden Club of Palo Alto and dedicated volunteer Mariana Rivas, all the gardens in Mountain View Whisman School District have bilingual signage describing the importance of pollinators and what the gardens are all about.
We also received notice of generous grants from the Leslie Family Foundation and the Santa Clara Open Space Authority to continue Living Classroom programming in six Campbell schools next year.
Living Classroom could not do what we do without the financial support of so many individuals and organizations. We are deeply grateful to all!
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Making Next Generation Science Standards Local
The article, Making Next Generation Science Standards Local, by Ten Strands discusses how a group of teachers identified environmental phenomenas to help teach Next Generation Science Standards. Through their training, they discovered that learning about these phenomenas was most accessible through hands-on learning at the local level. By learning outdoors and seeing up close the ecosystems affected by environmental changes, students have the opportunity to grasp these higher-level concepts of sustainability and climate change. Living Classroom has been teaching at the local level since the beginning. By Living Classroom providing native and edible gardens to schools and bringing students into those gardens to experience their environment directly, students receive unforgettable learning experiences. It's what Living Classroom does!
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Our Natural World
Did you know that Living Classroom covers an abundance of lessons on Life Sciences that are aligned with Next Generation Science Standards? Kindergarten students learn to compare and contrast different types of soils and how soil is a vital part of the ecosystem in their "Soil Exploration" lesson. Our third grade students learn about the benefits of composting, the symbiotic relationship between the soil and decomposers, and how to conduct an experiment using compost in our "What Good Is Compost?" lesson. Fifth graders learn about the interdependent energy flow within the ecosystem of their school gardens in their "Sustainability on the Ground" lesson.
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Coming Soon
Next week, you will receive information about an exciting new program with Target Corporation. Living Classroom has been invited to participate in the Target Circle Community Giving Program. We will provide details soon!
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Ways to Give
There are several ways to make regular gifts to Living Classroom: through corporate-matching employee donations; shopping on AmazonSmile (selecting Living Classroom as the charitable organization to receive a percentage of your purchases); and making a gift through your donor-advised fund.
Any gift at any time is appreciated! You can make a gift directly on our website or mail a check to PO Box 4121, Los Altos, CA 94024.
Your ongoing support assures that our kids will have the benefit -- and enjoyment -- of environmental literacy through Living Classroom's hands-on learning. |
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Monthly Giving
There are many ways to achieve sustainable funding for a nonprofit organization. My favorite method, which I have practiced at each of the wonderful nonprofits that I have served, is recurring monthly donations. Setting up an automatic payment through my bank was just so easy. My monthly donation (full disclosure) is about what I would spend for a dinner out. At the end of the year, I am proud (and surprised) by what my monthly gift has totaled. As Living Classroom's Executive Director, I also like knowing that we can count on recurring gifts to sustain us. Please join me in being a “regular” donor to Living Classroom by making a Recurring Donation. Any amount is appreciated.
-Margot
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Reading Corner
"Sam & Dave Dig a Hole" by Mac Barnett is a charming story about a pair of friends who set out to dig a hole and cannot seem to find anything of interest. They continue to dig, missing an amazing treasure just out of sight.
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Living Classroom
PO Box 4121
Los Altos, CA 94024
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