Schools

Mount Kisco Elementary School Opens its Garden

Built from a former tennis court, the garden will be integrated into the curriculum.

Inclement weather could not stop students, teachers and members of the public from coming out for the grand opening of the Mount Kisco Elementary School Community Garden.

The opening, held Tuesday, showcased the garden's role, how it was set up and who helped to create it.

With the student body gathered outside, Principal Sue Ostrofsky told them a fair tail-like story of how the garden was made.

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“Life was a fairy tale, or so they thought," she said.

Then, Ostrofsky switched to talk about the work behind making the garden possible, noting that the site, which was a former tennis court overgrown with brush, has been cleared.

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“The transformation was incredible," she said.

While school staff had been looking to do a garden for a year and a half, it was only made financially possible because of a centennial grant from the Bedford Garden Club.

“The Bedford Garden Club literally saved the school’s dream," Ostrofsky told students.

“From the very beginning, this graden was fated to become the mouse that roared," said Ellen Conrad, who is both a member of the garden club and Bedford 2020, which promotes growing gardens and sustainability.

The group's support was key to getting things started.

“It allowed us to get that momentum," Ostrofsky said.

Soon, other people and organizations from around the community began to pitch in. Parents and staff devoted their free time to clearing and preparing the site to get it ready, while groups ranging from Neighbors Link, to Stone Barns, to Sav-a-Tree either had people help with preparation or donated materials needed to get things started.

Several students came up to speak in thanks to all of the groups who helped, naming them and stating their purpose.

The opening culminated in having a group of students, presented with giant novelty scissors, making a symbolic ribbon cutting at the garden's entrance staircase to the lower level.

Inside the garden - planting started in the early spring - a series of raised beds are arranged, with produce including pumpkins, to potatoes, to peas. The plants were grown by different grades and classes, and time spent in the garden will be integrated into the broader curriculum.

Colored bird houses were set up among the plants, which had draws affixed to them for organizations that donated $25, according to Nanci Colangelo, who works at the school and has helped with the garden.

There are also a series of old sneakers being used as planters, which have already bloomed. Mount Kisco Elementary School Association (MKESA) co-presidents Jennifer Gagliardi and Amy Ferguson explained that the planters could be done earlier.

MKESA also played a large role, as former president Kristina Nye Weise helped with getting grant money. More recently, current members have served on a planning committee for the garden.

At first, the garden will only be open to students and families, but eventually it is hoped to have it expanded to the broader community, according to Gagliardi. There will also be a schedule for students, families and staff to help maintain it over the summer.

Going forward, plans include building a learning gazebo, a hoop garden and making room for composting.

Video of the ribbon cutting is attached.


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