SWCA:
Supporting Schools for a Brighter Future
Thursday,
November 5, 2009
SWC
A and Franklin Pierce School District: "The Farm"
http://www.fp.k12.wa.us/News.aspx?ContentID=701
9/15/2009
Community
Leaders Help Plan Future of "The Farm"
Assistant
Superintendent Tim Stensager facilitating conversation at the last meeting,
9/10/2009.
L
to R: Larry Volland,
Jim Akers, Tim Stensager, 9/10/2009.
Summit Waller Community Association and
Franklin Pierce Schools have been in recent conversations to identify the best
uses of district property located at 96th St. and Waller Road to the District's
Natural Science Resource Center (NSRC), affectionately known by longtime
residents as "The Farm."
The property has previously been a site used by the
District for agriculture-based learning that includes both horticulture and
raising animals, but is currently being used by one of the District's
alternative programs known as New Pathways. New Pathways moved to NSRC at the
beginning of the 2008-2009 school year from its former location on Pacific
Avenue and 112th St., to provide a better learning environment for students and
to mitigate money being spent on the lease at the former site. Even with
New Pathways serving students at the NSRC property, there remains much
farmland that is not being used. This has caused the District to
examine how it can best use that land to support its core business of educating
students, as well as serving the community, by reviving a farm operation.
Students will stand to gain knowledge and skills in content areas such
as science, health, and math. Students will learn everything from how to
decide what to grow and when, how to grow it, and how to take the final
product to market. Summit Waller Community Association member Jim Akers said,
"We want students and community both to understand human relationship with the
surrounding environment, the benefits of truly healthy fruits and vegetables,
and to realize the potential that The Farm has in building community
partnerships." Summit Waller Community Association board members Jim Akers,
Larry Volland, and Phil Hodous have been instrumental in assisting the
District in this planning effort.
Conversations pertaining to the future
of the "The Farm" will be ongoing throughout the school year, with the
expectation that a clear vision and plan will be formulated by April 2010.
If
you would like to participate in these planning conversations, please contact
Willie Painter, Public Information Officer at 298-3087 or wpainter@fpschools.org.
SWCA:
Supporting Schools for a Brighter Future
Thursday,
November 5, 2009
SWC
A and Franklin Pierce School District: "The Farm"
http://www.fp.k12.wa.us/News.aspx?ContentID=701
9/15/2009
Community
Leaders Help Plan Future of "The Farm"
Assistant
Superintendent Tim Stensager facilitating conversation at the last meeting,
9/10/2009.
L
to R: Larry Volland,
Jim Akers, Tim Stensager, 9/10/2009.
Summit Waller Community Association and
Franklin Pierce Schools have been in recent conversations to identify the best
uses of district property located at 96th St. and Waller Road to the District's
Natural Science Resource Center (NSRC), affectionately known by longtime
residents as "The Farm."
The property has previously been a site used by the
District for agriculture-based learning that includes both horticulture and
raising animals, but is currently being used by one of the District's
alternative programs known as New Pathways. New Pathways moved to NSRC at the
beginning of the 2008-2009 school year from its former location on Pacific
Avenue and 112th St., to provide a better learning environment for students and
to mitigate money being spent on the lease at the former site. Even with
New Pathways serving students at the NSRC property, there remains much
farmland that is not being used. This has caused the District to
examine how it can best use that land to support its core business of educating
students, as well as serving the community, by reviving a farm operation.
Students will stand to gain knowledge and skills in content areas such
as science, health, and math. Students will learn everything from how to
decide what to grow and when, how to grow it, and how to take the final
product to market. Summit Waller Community Association member Jim Akers said,
"We want students and community both to understand human relationship with the
surrounding environment, the benefits of truly healthy fruits and vegetables,
and to realize the potential that The Farm has in building community
partnerships." Summit Waller Community Association board members Jim Akers,
Larry Volland, and Phil Hodous have been instrumental in assisting the
District in this planning effort.
Conversations pertaining to the future
of the "The Farm" will be ongoing throughout the school year, with the
expectation that a clear vision and plan will be formulated by April 2010.
If
you would like to participate in these planning conversations, please contact
Willie Painter, Public Information Officer at 298-3087 or wpainter@fpschools.org.