Congratulations to St. Philips Academy of Newark and to Frank Mentesana and the ECOSpaces Program run through St. Philip’s beautiful rooftop garden for the Honorable Mention Award for the contest.

STRENGTHS AND HIGHLIGHTS:

HEALTH AND NUTRITION EDUCATION:
We use the garden, dining room, teaching kitchen, the gym/outdoor turf and the traditional classroom to teach and reinforce concepts of Health and Nutrition. Our students understand the entire closed food loop cycle which demonstratively reinforces concepts they are learning in the classroom. We also produce 3-4 Parent workshops through each school year. These workshops are aimed at educating families in the understanding of what their children are learning during the school day and becoming inclined to make healthier choices in their homes. Choices that are in line with what their children are experiencing in school are stressed.

CURRICULUM USES:
Grade 3, Garden Fresh Pasta: “Pasta De Love”. Using the rooftop garden, writing journals, harvest bowls, whole wheat pasta, olive oil, cherry tomatoes, basil, lemon, parmesan cheese, onion, green peppers, pot, wooden spoon, bowls and forks, students will observe in small groups crops that are ready to harvest and why and determine a pasta recipe based on what is in season. The goal is to demonstrate a connection between garden crops and preparation of food (made from scratch). Procedure: Students will be led to the garden to observe crops that are ready to be harvested. In class, a list will be made of all crops that are in season and the class will determine a pasta recipe using this available produce. Students will harvest ripened crops and head to the teaching kitchen. Here they will make a pasta dish using the fresh produce they gathered. (ie tomotoes, basil, peppers, onions).. Students are able to make the connection between math (measuring and weighing ingredients) science and writing while preparing a good nutritious meal. Students wrote in the writing journals and discussed the experience while sharing the meal.

ST. PHILIP’S ACADEMY PHOTOS: