The Harper Garden is an integral part of our children’s experience at Harper, and it depends on parent volunteers to keep it open! This year, we’re rolling out a new format to make volunteering even easier. Every Tuesday in the fall/summer, we’ll lead the kids in educational activities/projects. Every Thursday, we’ll do hands-on learning with guided garden maintenance tasks. Parents will receive specific instructions prior to their volunteer slot, and will almost always have a garden coordinator on hand to help. Best yet? Little sibs are encouraged to attend and participate! We’ll also have special events throughout the growing season that will allow students to bring their parents or caretakers into the garden with them for interactive learning and fun! Sign up now!
Harper Garden Committee
Lunch Recess in the Garden
The Harper Garden was created in 2003 when Kathy Hofschield, then a first grade teacher, received grants from both the Chicago Botanic Garden and the District 39 Educational Foundation. Harper students, parents, and teachers worked side by side with the horticulturists of the Chicago Botanic Garden to conceptualize and build the new space. Currently, the garden features six raised beds for planting fruits and vegetables, a cozy tree stump reading nook, a relaxing bridge over a Mexican Pebble “river,” and a beautiful hand-painted rock path through a wild prairie garden. The space has stayed true to Ms. Hofschield’s original goal to provide a sanctuary that encourages children to rest, reflect, and care for the environment.
Parent volunteers are absolutely vital to the success of the garden and the quality of each child’s experience while in it! Students work in the garden planting, weeding, harvesting, and watering. Be prepared to get a little dirty while volunteering!
More information on volunteer sign ups coming soon!
