Richard Parsons

Parsons’ innovative teaching idea, “Healthy Choices Healthy Living” consists of building and maintaining a school garden. This project will be a student-led project with teacher assistance when needed. Students will build grow boxes to house a variety of vegetables that will be used throughout the school and community. Once the boxes are built, students will collect soil samples to determine the nutrients in the soil. If nutrients need to be added, students will amend the soil with appropriate materials. Students will start vegetable seeds inside the classroom and move them to the garden during the appropriate growing season. Different vegetables will be grown year-round depending seasonal conditions. This will allow fresh produce to be harvested throughout the year. Vegetables harvested will be used in the school's cafeteria, food class, and given to low income student/families as a source of healthy food. The schools’ health clinic will work with students on healthy eating and local woman's club will help throughout the summer.