So we have all heard bits and pieces about the new Ocracoke School garden over the past few weeks… Well, I have had the privilege of sitting down with the entire second grade class to get the inside scoop on how it came to be.
Apparently, Ms.Claudia’s second grade students, while still in Ms. Alice’s first grade classroom, had an assignment to write a persuasive letter to their principal, Walt Padgett, and Dr. Latimore, the superintendent of Hyde County Schools. This letter was to give their opinion on what the school needed. Their requests were as pie-in-the-sky as a chocolate fountain and a swimming pool. My daughter, Juliette Jordan, informed me that it was Bailey Bryan’s letter that did the convincing. That, paired with the support of her classmates, was how the planning began. The idea wasn’t for using the space behind the school for just a garden, but to create a park for the island pups.
Linda Willis at Hyde County Schools administration offices had already procured grant money for a school garden project from the 21st Century and Burroughs-Welcome grants. When the first graders asked for a dog park, the administration decided it was one dream that could be a reality. Jennifer Rich of Ocracoke Garden Center wchose and installed the plants in the area. Ocracoke School's shop teacher, Jeff Schleicher, built the beautiful benches for the space. The benches have paw prints and dog faces on them. Naim Zapata, a member of the second grade class, thinks that they are “very cool.”
What was really awesome about sitting down with Ms. Claudia and her class was that they were all bursting with even more ideas on how to add perks to this already dog-friendly space. Some of the kids have their own furry family members at home, and had great input as to how some little add-ons would go a long way. Aidan Mason suggested a stake in the ground, so that you could tie off leashes. Sawyer DeVan and Payce Howarth think that installing a fence around the area, would be even better! That way, you could let your pets run freely to socialize. Tatiana Martinez loved that idea, and suggested building an obstacle course one day, or maybe having a “doggie-parade.” We had a major discussion about a water fountain being there at a level the dogs can access. Everyone was on board for that idea. Noah Hill said that we definitely needed a doggie bag station…. “and a pool!”
Ms. Claudia informed me that her class has recently read James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. The kids think it would be really cool if they could grow a peach tree for the dog park. They have been saving some pits from their snacks and plan to try and make it happen. As if that idea weren’t neat enough, after the class finishes reading another book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, also by the same author, they may try to grow a cocoa plant. Of course, they will have to keep this out of reach from our furry friends, because we all know that chocolate isn’t good for our dogs to eat. There was a little concern expressed, and we believe that a planter box would work.
Needless to say, this second grade class is full of some amazing ideas! I am personally very excited to see what our school, and island are in store for in the years to come. Keep it up guys!
