EXCEL grant helps school buy dirt
<p>Emily Raabe, a second-grade student at Hayden Meadows Elementary School, in tie-dye, is passed a bucket of soil Friday during an event related to a Friendly Farmers program that was funded from an EXCEL grant. The soil was passed down the human chain to raised beds, built by students, that will be used to grow vegetables to be distributed to Second Harvest food bank and for the school lunch program.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - The EXCEL Foundation has allocated $76,820 in classroom grants this year to teachers in Coeur d'Alene School District 271.
Historically, EXCEL has announced the grants at its annual BIG Event fundraiser in November. This year, the grant winners were notified earlier so teachers would have greater flexibility in integrating the EXCEL opportunities into their classrooms earlier in the school year.
Hands-on learning made possible by EXCEL grants has already begun. Study kits, books, fine art supplies, technology, musical instruments and science gear is being delivered to schools across the district, including dirt.
Gardening soil, to be exact.
Friday afternoon, Hayden Meadows students from K-5 formed a human chain to celebrate their "Friendly Farmers" EXCEL Grant.
Students spent the fall building raised beds and applying for farmer jobs. To introduce the project to the whole school and community, students created a human chain, passing buckets of soil to raise awareness about their "Friendly Farmers" EXCEL grant.
Once produce matures, vegetables will be harvested for distribution to Second Harvest, helping provide nutritious vegetables to the most vulnerable in our community. Students will also harvest vegetables to incorporate into school lunches.
Tickets are still available for the EXCEL Big Event on Friday, Nov. 16. The Big Event is the annual fundraiser gathering for the nonprofit community organization committed to enhancing innovation in classrooms,
The Big Event is at the Best Western Coeur d'Alene Inn and begins at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $50.
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