Grace Lin Visits Memorial

Today we enjoyed a visit from local children's book author, Grace Lin.  As you may know, she has written and illustrated several wonderful books for children of all ages.  Grace shared the process of how she goes about writing a book and having it published.  She shared how she threads key Chinese traditions and cultural ideas into her books.  We all loved meeting Grace, and especially loved learning how to draw one of her signature dragons!

A Garden Begins...

Last week was a busy one indeed!  As you know, the children helped Mr. Ravinski prep the new soil and we planted 21 different types of seeds two days later.  Dr. Marsden popped in to help us do a bit of planting too.  We are excited to report that despite this week's snow and cold temps, we have several new sprouts beginning to emerge.  Arugula, mammoth sunflowers, zinnias, basil, spinach... to name a few.  Thanks to all the families who have offered to water during the vacation week.  I suspect we will see much progress if the week is a warmer one!  Here are a few pictures from our planting day!

Room 10's Garden Opening Day!

The excitement was barely containable as we ventured outside this afternoon to begin our long awaited garden project!  Together we worked with Mr. Ravinski to prep our existing soil for planting.  The children worked in their garden teams to help put down new soil, break up soil clumps, remove unwanted rocks, sticks or trash, and then watched as Mr. Ravinski tilled the garden for us.  A job well done indeed!  Tomorrow we will finish planning our planting schedule and garden configuration.  If all goes well, Wednesday we will get our little seeds in the ground.  We will continue to keep you posted!

Garden Opening Day... Coming Soon!

We are busy pulling out our garden books and supplies this week, including our gardening gloves, watering cans, hose, shovels, seeds, plant food and more!  We are just about ready to get started.  Mr. Ravinski is hoping to come in early next week (weather permitting!) to rototiill and help us prepare the garden soil.  Today, we created a list of "Respectful Gardening Rules" and started thinking about the types of vegetables and plants we might grow.  The growing season is definitely shorter, and the winter quite long this year, but we will do what we can to grow and harvest some veggies and flowers before the end of the year.  We can definitely make it happen!

One thing we need to do is replenish some of the soil to get things underway this year.  Randy, from Will's Hardware in Medfield, has put aside 20 bags of topsoil.  Each bag costs $2.  It would be so helpful to me if you could help by purchasing a bag (or two).  Randy said he would keep them at the store and my husband will pick them up for us when we have our garden prep day next week.  So, if you are willing, please swing by Will's Hardware between now and Monday.  They set aside the soil for us and they will keep track of the number of bags purchased.  If we get about 20 bags we should be all set.  We will appreciate any donations of dirt we can get!  If it is easier to send in a $2 donation with your child, that would be fine too.

As a heads up, last year families who were interested took a week in the summer to check in on the garden, keep weeds down, water and harvest what was still growing.  Think about your summer plans and if you are interested in being put on a list for "summer gardening".  You don't need to tell me now, but in June I will put a weekly schedule together (based on your preferences) of when you may have a turn to look after the garden.  This is an invitation only, but something to consider if you have time this summer.  Last summer families continued to enjoy lettuce, carrots, herbs, beans, peas and more.

Thanks for you help!  The excitement is growing here in Room 10 for sure!