Closing St. Cecilia Gardens 2020

 Just like so many things in 2020, the St. Cecilia gardening season looked a bit different this year. 

With all the uncertainty and changes to the coming school year, we decided to close the gardens early, before the students return to school.  Normally it requires parent volunteers to facilitate the classes coming through the gardens - and we know at this point that volunteers just won't be able to be at the school right now, because of Covid-19 restrictions. 

So instead, we had volunteers come out on a Monday evening and we unceremoniously picked the harvest and cleaned out the beds.  It was certainly quieter than usual without all the students there but the sense of community was still alive and well!  

We also had problems with our watering source this summer, and with all the very hot days in July along with the late planting dates, many of the crops just didn't thrive.  So we got some squash, rutabaga, onions, garlic and a few beets and flowers.  But the carrots, parsnips, sunflowers, green onions, and many of the beets just didn't make it this year.  

Thank you to the parents who helped throughout all the summer months in keeping the gardens going.  Without you, this would not be possible!  You rock!   

Thank you to Mrs. Prevost and our amazing custodians who were always available to help when we had water challenges.  Your support is appreciated!  

 

A Different Gardening Seasoning Has Begun at St. Cecilia School Gardens

It was a quiet beginning to St. Cecilia's gardens this year.  

Usually, we have many volunteers and families gather to help clean out and prepare the gardens.  Usually, we have hundreds of kids and their teachers come through the gardens to help us plant the crops for the season.  Usually, we have lots of pictures of kids smiling as they get to participate in this outdoor, hands on learning experience.  

This year, because of the school closures with Covid-19 and the need to physically distance, we had a very quiet planting experience with only 2 St. Cecilia students and one former St. Cecilia graduate helping to plant the gardens and cut the long grass.  While we got the job done very effectively, it was definitely not the same without all the energy and enthusiasm of the students!

We were not sure that the gardens would proceed this year with all the restrictions, but in the end we got the OK to proceed.  It would not have been possible however without the amazing support of 14 St. Cecilia families that have helped to keep these gardens going in the past and stepped up immediately when asked if they could help again this year by each taking a week to weed, water and cut the grass.  Thank you for your dedication!  

While we hope that the students will be able to experience the harvest come September, we are also not certain that will be possible.  We do know though that we will again be able to make a donation to a local food bank with our crops and even if the students can not participate this year in person, the efforts to continue with the gardens will still benefit those in need.  

Thank you again to these amazing parents/families that are donating a week of their summer to help tend to the gardens:  Shannon O'Hearn; Estelle Mendonca; Laura Villeneuve; Fedja and Wendy Pejic; Jackie Kung; Megan Kunsken; Jodi Brown; Elviro Spremo; Julie Bowman; Catherine Fisk; Kristen Tipman; Meghan Debuc; Fernanda Correa and Terri Poole.