Down and dirty: Patrick Henry pupils get proactive for Earth Week

By Dijon Rolle, USAG Baden-Wuerttemberg Public AffairsApril 28, 2010

Patrick Henry pupils get proactive for Earth Week
Second graders at Patrick Henry Elementary School in Heidelberg took turns watering the ground before planting new shrubbery to adorn the school's garden April 21. The children were responsible for weeding, planting and watering the new plants as on... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

HEIDELBERG, Germany - She may be only 8 years old, but Regina Wolfe already has a green thumb.

Recently Regina, along with her classmates from Patrick Henry Elementary School took turns putting it to good use during the school's Earth Week activities April 21.

The second graders trekked to one of the school's two gardens to weed, water and pot an array of Hibiscus, Japanese Rose, Spirea and Cherry Laurel plants.

Regina, dressed in her favorite pink jumpsuit with matching hair barrettes revealed that, although this was her first time planting shrubbery, this wasn't her first time working in a garden.

"I planted fruit and vegetables like strawberries, carrots, cucumbers, potatoes, tomatoes and apples at my house, but no plants like these," Regina said as she and her classmate Jeffery Hochgesang worked together to pour out the contents of a bag of mulch nearly their size.

"I feel good about coming out here, we learned about helping the Earth," she said as her partner Jeffery chimed in, "You have to recycle, too."

Virginia also said the best part about planting apples was getting to make pies out of them with her mom.

The planting project was one of several activities the children participated in during this year's Earth Week to highlight environmental awareness. Students also conducted a trash clean-up, learned about nutrition and endangered species, and created their own Save the Earth T-shirts.

Samantha Rogers, an intern with the Environmental Division from the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, who's been working closely with PHES and others in the area to help teachers and students continue to cultivate environmental awareness year round. She also rolled up her sleeves to help the youngsters to get down and dirty during the event.

"The kids are amazing," Rogers said. "They are so enthusiastic about learning in general ... and they have a really proactive program here especially with recycling and with environmental issues ... and they're very knowledgeable.I think it's really important because if kids are disconnected from the Earth and if they're disconnected from the problems we are facing environmentally, they're not going to care and the problems are going to get worse," she added.

"We need to have people thinking about recycling, thinking about making sure our air is clean and our water is clean, because if we mess up the planet, we really don't have any other options."

Computer teacher Suzanne McMorran also performed her share of watering, weeding and digging duties while educating the children on how the plants grow and how their root systems work.

"We want them to have an appreciation of the Earth and a better understanding of how we have to protect it and protect ourselves," McMorran said. "Kids love doing this kind of stuff, and when they appreciate things like flowers, they don't pick them. They enjoy them."

Meanwhile in the far corner of the garden, 8-year olds Regina and Jeffrey had moved on from spreading mulch to finally watering their new plants. "I think next year we should plant watermelons," Jeffrey said. "Those are really good to eat, and I think they're good for the Earth, too."

Members of the Heidelberg Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers also came out to support the event and help in the planting.

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