Collegewood Elementary Garden Blooms

Collegewood Elementary School students recently celebrated a garden in full bloom.

The students had a family picnic in the garden's honor on April 10, according to a Walnut Valley Unified School District news release.

The plants and flowers are planted just outside teacher Stacey Bell's third grade classroom and her class, along with RSP Aide Linda Cuesta's students care for them.  

“The picnic was a chance for students to share a casual luncheon with their family and friends surrounded by spring blooms and a cool breeze. After lunch, everyone enjoyed walking through the garden and taking pictures,” Bell said.

Walnut City Councilman Eric Ching, who has a fifth grader at Collegewood, was recognized during the event for his donation for the garden. 

Collegewood teachers and staff members also contributed to the garden project.

“These donations made it possible to purchase everything for our garden, Cuesta said. “It was a beautiful day and the students enjoyed talking and sharing news about the garden.” 

Odin Ilnicky, Paul LeBrun, David Escobedo, and Efren Goytia, who work in the district's Grounds Department, build the frames for the project in January.   

“We ordered the raised beds for the garden, and they assembled them, brought in mulch and the first plants. The guys worked really hard and helped us out,” Cuesta said.

Once that work was done, the students got to plant flower and herb seeds. They care for the plants, which include water, weeding, and keeping the rabbits at bay.

“Once the kids got into the dirt they loved it. It's been a really good experience for them,” Cuesta said.

The garden includes native plants that are also drought resistant, officials said.  With spring, the garden is in full bloom.

“We were able to cut some flowers on Friday and then gave special Collegewood bouquets to several teachers,” Cuesta said of the event.