2008-2009 Annual Report

An n u al Rep or t 2007—2008

Changing the world — one child, one community, one school garden at a time.

503 bryan avenue fort worth, texas 76104 phone: 817.348.8102 fax: 817.348.8680 realschoolgardens.org

“Thank you Mr. V. for letting us smell the flowers.

My mom will never let me smell the flower and honeysuckle. And I love the best flower is the rosemary.”

— An elementary school student with a REAL School Garden

Table of Contents From the Executive Director

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Fort Worth, Texas

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Retreat/Renewal Event On-Going Garden Guidance Staff Meeting Visits Opportunities to Model Lessons with Students Professional Development Days Teton Science School Family and Community Involvement with the Schools Establishing Relationships with Area Businesses and Donors Leadership Teams ACORNS Advisory Board REAL People Meetings Moving Forward…

National Program Operational and Administrative Update Outreach to the Public Expansion into New Locations Expansion through Partnerships

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Statement of Activities

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Statement of Financial Position

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Moving Forward…

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Our Core Values

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“(The garden) gives our students something to call their own.”

— Anna Colups, a participant at a RSG event, expressed the heartfelt reason for all our work.

From the Executive Director Two words come to mind when thinking about the 2007 - 2008 year — consistency and change. While those words may seem conflicting, they point to the rich history that REAL School Gardens (RSG) has and, at the same time, to the growth and expansion in new directions. The spirit that has been such an integral part of RSG offers the consistency, the thread that ties together our work as an organization and as a community. The change comes with growth — enlarging the circle of people touched by RSG and increasing the number of children who feel its impact.

With consistency and change in mind, the REAL School Gardens staff worked closely with the Board of Directors and the Fort Worth ACORNS Advisory Board to refine its mission and goals. We are proud of the work we did together, and we look forward to focusing our efforts in the coming years.

Our mission is to cultivate relationships with elementary school communities to create learning gardens that raise hope, spark imaginations and connect children to nature. To achieve this mission, RSG supports local programs as they work with educators, parents, area business partners and community members to address our major goals of: helping elementary schools create, support and sustain school gardens so children connect with nature in engaging, nurturing and inspirational ways; encouraging the use of school gardens to support children’s learning of skills, processes and content while immersing them in the natural world; fostering a cooperative spirit among schools, families and the surrounding community through involvement with school gardens; and creating a vibrant, sharing network of educators and partners who commit to putting school gardens at the heart of urban communities.

This annual report presents the progress towards these goals both in the Fort Worth area and ultimately towards the overall mission. It also provides an account of our progress on the national level, concluding with a Statement of Financial Position. But to do this, we must also share stories and highlights of the year from the perspectives of those we serve — their words, images and hopes for today and the future.

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“Just wanted to let you know that my kids loved Stacey coming out today. They were so eager to learn and answer questions about things we had previously learned about ladybugs. This was a great start for our insect theme…”

— Kindergarten teacher Chasidie Lane’s comments represent much of the feedback RSG receives.

With that said, there is also a third word that comes to mind. Celebration is woven into each and every facet of the past year — celebration of changing our organization’s name and logo to better reflect who we are and what we do; establishing an office in an historic fire station; laying the groundwork to launch a website that greatly increases the support we offer to our educators, community members and partners; adding new staff members and new ideas; and much, much more.

It is my hope that this annual report celebrates a year where consistency and change are in balance with each other, so we can truly make the most important impact of all — making the world a better place for all of us, one school garden at a time.

Enjoy our year — we are so happy to share it with you.

Sincerely,

Jeanne McCarty Executive Director

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“One day in the garden we were looking at the vegetables and one student said, ‘Look, a grape.’ We looked and the grape was actually a tomato. I explained that the tomato would turn red as it ripened. With wonder the student said, ‘I have never seen a GREEN TOMATO! I thought they were always red!’”

— Camilla Reid, counselor at Seminary Hills Park Elementary

During the 2007 - 2008 year, REAL School Gardens began laying the groundwork for growth from a local program to a nationally-based organization with programs in multiple locations. The RSG National team supports the local programs and recognizes that they have the most direct impact on children, families, educators, community members and partners.

This Annual Report begins with the local program in Fort Worth, Texas — the program with the longest history and the largest local impact.

Fort Worth, Texas In Fort Worth, Texas, we accomplished our goals through different initiatives that nurture, sustain and support our growing community. Each year, we provide the following support to our school partners: garden design and installation through a community-driven process; year-round guidance on planting and maintenance; and ongoing professional development and networking opportunities. Our hope is that through our partnership educators will increasingly use the garden for teaching and learning, giving more and more children opportunities to learn outdoors.

Following is a summary of our progress towards each of our goals.

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“I like to go fide insects and eat the plants!”

— Daryl, an elementary school student, wrote in his nature journal.

Goal 1: Help elementary schools create, support and sustain school gardens so children connect with nature in engaging, nurturing and inspirational ways Like many of the more than 36,000 children who have daily access to a REAL School Gardens’ outdoor classroom, Daryl, an elementary school student who loves to spend time in nature, is most excited about what he discovers in his school’s garden. REAL School Gardens—Fort Worth (RSG—FW) hosted several events in support of our schools:

Retreat/Renewal Event With 36 school gardens established, RSG—FW took this year to refresh and renew current schools at the Retreat/ Renewal event. This year: Seven schools participated, 68 educators, family members and community representatives attended, and Groups explored the Circle Process, our method of respectful communication, and place-based education while planning for the next steps with their garden.

On-Going Garden Guidance Visiting each of the school gardens allowed RSG—FW personnel to observe safety and/or maintenance issues that needed attention, as well as enhancements that might increase the use of the garden (e.g., weather station instruments).

By offering a retreat to schools that had not previously participated in one, school teams renewed their interests and networked with others. As well, on-going garden guidance from RSG—FW assisted the schools as they improved their gardens, ensuring the outdoor classrooms are ready each day for teaching and learning.

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“I learned a lot.”

— Jonathon, a six-year-old student

Goal 2: Encourage the use of school gardens to support children’s learning of skills, processes and content while immersing them in the natural world REAL School Gardens—Fort Worth encouraged the use of school gardens in many ways, including:

Staff Meeting Visits Staff meeting visits are essential to encouraging teachers to incorporate the garden into their weekly lesson plans.

During the 2007 - 2008 fiscal year, REAL School Gardens—Fort Worth staff: Visited with school staff members at 32 schools, and Modeled activities and discussed ways to integrate the curriculum in the garden.

Opportunities to Model Lessons with Students One of the most rewarding aspects of our work is connecting with children. REAL School Gardens—Fort Worth staff: Conducted 204 visits to individual schools, Offered direct instruction to 4,488 children, and Modeled lessons for over 200 teachers about integrating curriculum into the garden.

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“Thank you for your time and care in planning the activities at the Teton Science School.

The week provided me with invaluable experiences which will enable me to become a better teacher...”

— Lisa Gowan noted what a transformative experience the Teton Science School had upon her teaching and her life.

Professional Development Days With a focus on increasing educators’ knowledge and comfort-level to use their gardens to teach, RSG—FW hosted two full-day opportunities: 107 educators attended on August 16, 2007, at R. J. Wilson Elementary School, and 130 educators attended on January 12, 2008, at East Fort Worth Montessori Academy.

At each professional development event, the year-long theme of “Place, Process and Possibility in the OLE” was included in 12 sessions, which ranged from “Gardening with Texas Native Plants” to “Aquatic Explorations.”

Teton Science School In the summer of 2008, 13 teachers and four RSG—FW staff members traveled to Jackson, Wyoming, to attend weeklong training in outdoor inquiry at the Teton Science School, which is the premier institution both nationally and internationally for connecting people to nature.

The combination of these four opportunities encouraged the use of school gardens and helped children connect with nature in engaging, nurturing and inspirational ways.

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“Thank you for helping us in our garden.”

— Ace, an eight-year old student

Goal 3: Foster a cooperative spirit among schools, families and the surrounding community through involvement with school gardens Educators believe REAL School Gardens’ support does make a difference in their students’ lives and in their neighboring community. “A school garden gives my volunteers and families a place to gather and a place to be involved,” said one principal. RSG—FW fostered this spirit in many ways:

Family and Community Involvement with the Schools We know that sustainability of the gardens is enhanced when families and community members support the gardens. This year RSG—FW invited schools to bring parent representatives to our Retreat/Renewal event. Parents also participated in other successful events throughout the year, including: “Gardening with Grandparents” and “Muffins with Mom” at J. T. Stevens Elementary School, “Lemonade in the Garden” hosted by Fitzgerald Elementary School, A garden session for Family Science Night at Westcliff Elementary School, Weekly after-school Garden Club meetings at Western Hills Primary and Fitzgerald Elementary Schools, and Parents at Richard Wilson Elementary School kept the garden weed free and monitored the garden to avoid acts of vandalism.

In all, 88% of our schools report that they are engaging at least one additional community partner to support the garden. Some examples include: Ryan Thedford, an Eagle Scout, organized family and friends to build a handicap accessible bridge at Watauga Elementary School.

The Tarrant County Food Bank and the culinary students from East Fort Worth Montessori Academy used the harvest from the school’s garden in their meals.

Neighborhood police officers donated plants and flowers to D. McRae Elementary School.

Watauga Elementary School partnered with the U. S. Forest Service and the Texas Forestry Association to procure nine large Loblolly pine tree trunk sections.

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“You don’t know what a difference this is making for our student winner… He is so honored to be recognized in this way. When we found out that he was the winner, we all jumped up and hugged each other.

Thank you so much.”

— Leslie Musa, an elementary school staff member

Establishing Relationships with Area Businesses and Donors Our most sincere appreciation goes to Richard Rainwater and the Rainwater Charitable Foundation for their vision and dedication, which has been instrumental to the creation of REAL School Gardens. Also important to our success is the commitment of area businesses and donors to support REAL School Gardens. Discounts and donations from area businesses this year totaled $20,155. Support was provided by: Anonymous donors

Matthew Rainwater photography

Bonnie Plants

Tarrant County Juvenile Services

Discovery Scopes

Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office

Fort Worth Parks and Community Services

Texas Committee of Environmental Quality

Harvest Supply

Texas Department of Transportation

Lowe’s Home Improvement

Tim’s Landscape

Marshall Grain

Tiny Seeds

Suzy Peacock

YourOutDoors

Philip Combs Design, Inc. Several schools partnered directly with local businesses. For example: Luella Merrett Elementary School partnered with a local business to cook hot dogs in the garden for a Back-To-School picnic and Wal-Mart donated flowers for first graders.

Third graders at J. T. Stevens Elementary School took home a cabbage plant, compliments of Bonnie Plants.

REAL School Gardens—Fort Worth continued its partnership with the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Department, who provided 5,720 hours of labor and the Tarrant County Juvenile Services provided 200 hours, representing a donation of $115,499.20 (as calculated by The Independent Sector, Washington, DC).

REAL School Gardens initiated yet another community partnership with YourOutDoors, creator of The Perfect Garden Tool. This local start-up company sponsored a student essay contest. At the last REAL People event of the year, YourOutDoors distributed $450 in cash prizes to winners and contributed a tool system to each winner’s school, for a total contribution of $1,349.94. The interest generated among students was enormous with over 500 student essays submitted. By encouraging a cooperative spirit among schools, families and the surrounding community, REAL School Gardens touched children’s lives in direct and profound ways.

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“I know someone who wants to be on the REAL People team. He has heard me talk about this and wants to be a part of it.”

— Lonnie Jones, a teacher at Springdale Elementary School

Goal 4: Create a sharing network of educators and partners who commit to putting school gardens at the heart of urban neighborhoods REAL School Gardens—Fort Worth hosted events and provided opportunities for educators, partners and children to network and to share their passion for the school garden. In addition both the National and Fort Worth teams spent much time developing an interactive website to connect participants in new and exciting ways.

Leadership Teams Following a shared leadership model, Leadership Teams were crucial to the success of various events throughout the year. Three teams (the Retreat/Renewal team, the REAL People team and the Professional Development team) served the organization in many ways. For example, the Professional Development Leadership team evaluated the Call for Proposals to select presenters, handled the registration process, tracked store sales and assisted with hospitality; the REAL People Leadership team revamped the registration process, greeted participants and assisted with hospitality; and the Retreat/Renewal Leadership team assisted with planning and carrying out the event details.

Leadership Teams also offered an opportunity for educators and partners to be more involved in REAL School Gardens—Fort Worth. With each team comprised of approximately ten members, about thirty more educators were directly involved with the organization. The team members reported that the participation was meaningful to them.

Their involvement enriches the program in countless ways.

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“I love everything about the meetings.

The speakers are interesting and the food is great.”

— An appreciative educator remarked after a REAL People networking event.

ACORNS Advisory Board The Fort Worth ACORNS Advisory Board continued to give valuable assistance to the Fort Worth program. Board members, consisting of teachers, funders and community members met several times during the year. As the network continued to grow, more and more people were involved in putting school gardens at the heart of urban neighborhoods.

REAL People Meetings Three networking meetings were held during the 2007 - 2008 school year: Inspirational Meeting: 165 people attended; October 4, 2007, at J. T. Stevens Elementary School; Jeanne McCarty spoke as incoming Executive Director.

Educational Meeting: 106 people attended; February 7, 2009, at Bonnie Brae Elementary School; Delaine Easton, former Superintendent of California schools, spoke.

Celebratory Meeting: 232 people attended; May 7, 2008, at Como Montessori; schools created displays about their gardens and school representatives shared their garden stories; awards were presented to the YourOutDoors Student Essay Contest winners; and Stacey Hodge Awards were given to J. T. Stevens Elementary School for successful curriculum integration, Goodman Elementary School for successful parental and community involvement and E. J. Briscoe Elementary School and Alice Contreras Elementary School for garden rejuvenation.

Moving Forward...

RSG—FW took giant steps toward reaching our goals during the 2007 - 2008 school year. In the coming year, RSG—FW plans to add four new school partners to the network. To continue to support the schools as we do, we also plan to increase volunteerism and partnerships, share our story with a wider audience through media outlets, fundraise more actively for our program and gain support from additional donors including local foundations, corporations and individuals.

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“This is a wonderful program.”

— One teacher remarked after a REAL People networking event, but the sentiment is shared by many.

National Program The work of the National team is to develop a national organization and expand REAL School Gardens’ reach so that more children can be connected to the outdoors. During 2007 - 2008, we began laying the necessary foundation for future national expansion. After an almost year-long search, REAL School Gardens hired its first Executive Director, Jeanne McCarty, in October, 2007. She began full-time work in December, joining Terri McGuire, the current COO, to form the National team.

Operational and Administrative Update In order to increase our capacity to serve children, meet the needs of our partner schools and expand nationally, four major changes were implemented during the 2007 - 2008 year: The organization’s name changed from REAL Schools Initiative to REAL School Gardens to better communicate the organization’s focus and purpose. The logo was also updated to reflect the supporting, nurturing values of RSG. RSG established itself as a 501(c)(3) organization. Since the program began, the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) had served as fiscal sponsor. This required the creation of procedures and systems for accounting, bookkeeping and human resources. We also changed our fiscal year from a calendar year to July 1 - June 30.

The first RSG office opened, moving into Historic Fire Station #5 located off South Main Street in Fort Worth, Texas, giving the National staff and the Fort Worth staff an opportunity to be housed in the same location. Suzy Peacock, a member of the National Board, worked with Quorum Architects to select the needed furnishings and led the way to obtain a large, round table and chairs for the organization’s use. This table, made from recycled materials and hand crafted by Irwin Kalson, symbolizes the unity and care with which the organization operates. The move also required computer and phone systems, insurance, utilities, filing systems and other details. Over the year, the National team grew to three employees with the addition of a Program Assistant.

Ground work was put in place for the launch of www.realschoolgardens.org, a new website.

Much time and energy was put into the design and architecture of the site, making sure it conveyed the spirit of the organization while offering information about school gardens and networking opportunities to educators, parents and community members.

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“I appreciate the kind, thoughtful way teachers are treated by REAL. I liked meeting others and sharing ideas and really building strong relationships.”

— An educator commented after a REAL People event.

Outreach to the Public The RSG National team also led the initiative to increase the public’s awareness of our work with the local programs, as well as the greater importance of connecting children to nature through hands-on learning. RSG media coverage and public appearances included: A Star-Telegram article, “Aiding Budding Young Minds,” appeared on February 4, 2008, “How Their Gardens Grow” appeared in the Fort Worth Weekly on December 5, 2007, The “Ask Andrea” show, a nationally syndicated radio show, interviewed Jeanne McCarty and broadcast the conversation in the Fort Worth area on WBAP 820, The Wildflower Association of Michigan invited Jeanne McCarty to deliver the keynote address for its conference at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing, Michigan, Jeanne McCarty participated in a panel discussion at the Student Conservation Association Conference in Washington, DC, and RSG information appeared on the Fort Worth Independent School District and the Teton Science School’s websites.

Expansion into New Locations The National team took steps toward national expansion, meeting with Tracy Hollis from Grand Prairie ISD. This school district currently has 13 gardens in elementary schools, although they do not have professional development or networking programs. In June, REAL School Gardens hosted the first Professional Development day in Grand Prairie, Texas, drawing 39 teachers to the event. The National team continues to work with Grand Prairie to establish an ongoing partnership with the district.

Expansion through Partnerships In the spring of 2008, REAL School Gardens established a partnership with the San Francisco Green Schoolyard Alliance, supporting an additional 39 gardens. Together, we shared resources to insure schools in California and Texas receive the best possible support for their gardens. We are confident this partnership will continue to grow during the next school year.

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“I feel uplifted. I have more ideas and clarity.

I want to take my class outside for teaching all subjects.”

— A teacher expressed the thoughts of many on an evaluation following a REAL School Gardens professional development event.

Statement of Activities REAL School Gardens Eight Months Ending June 30, 2008 Revenue and other support Contributions Interest income Rental income Miscellaneous income

$ $ $ $

969,025.00 4,444.00 21,356.00 6,033.00

$

1,000,858.00

$ $ $

406,933.00 115,111.00 11,956.00

Total expenses

$

534,000.00

Changes in net assets

$

466,858.00

Total revenue and other support

Expenses Program services Management and general Fundraising

Net assets at beginning of period — unrestricted

$

Net assets at end of period — unrestricted

$

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-

466,858.00

“It would be a social injustice not to share this program with children throughout the entire country.”

— One of our supporters best articulates the work of the national team—to develop a national organization and expand REAL School Gardens’ reach.

Statement of Financial Position From April 2003 until December 2007, the Botanical Research Institute of Texas served as our fiscal sponsor, and our fiscal year was a calendar year. In November 2007, REAL School Gardens began operating with an independent 501(c)(3) status, taking over accounting responsibilities and changing our fiscal year from a calendar year to July 1 June 30 fiscal year.

Our entire annual budget from July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008 was $1,375,858. The following year-end financial statements are not reflective of the entire year. They only reflect income and expenses from November 2007 through June 2008, the timeframe in which we operated our own financial systems. During this time period, our funds were spent accordingly: 76% of our total budget was spent on program services, 21% towards general administration and 3% towards fundraising.

Now that our organization has been established and as our program continues to grow, we anticipate a greater percentage of funds allocated to program services and less to general administration. We also anticipate an increase in fundraising costs as we seek new donors to support our work.

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“We observed and learned new things.

Science is cool!”

— A first-grade student with a REAL School Garden

Moving Forward...

These changes and new initiatives increased REAL School Gardens’ ability to reach children through the efforts of teachers, parents and community members in the Fort Worth area, while at the same time, established the groundwork for national expansion. Over the next year, we will launch a national expansion plan, grow our Board of Directors, and extend our partnerships on the national level — all with the ultimate goal of connecting more children to nature through school gardens. Our work also reflects what we value — thoughtful, well-planned growth and reflective practice. Our work is so much larger than simply gardens. REAL School Gardens truly does make a difference in the lives of those involved. We are changing the world — one child, one community, one school garden at a time.

Our Core Values We serve children through a process of Respectful Listening.

We serve children within a Spirit of Community.

We honor the value of a circle of people who share a common purpose, provide space and support for individual growth, unite in doing the work and hold hands to walk in the same direction.

We actively create and sustain an environment in which we speak one at a time and focus on the words of the speaker with the intent of seeking understanding, looking for meaning inside the words and affirming the value of the expression of each other’s thoughts.

We serve children in an atmosphere of Invitation and Hospitality.

We invite schools into this circle that surrounds and supports children. We do all we can to provide a space of beauty, comfort, safety and welcome for all.

We serve children by promoting the Freedom to Create.

We encourage individual and team creativity in designing a garden and a process which best serves their community.

We serve children by supporting the value of Transformative Experiences.

We serve children within a belief that Each Individual has a Gift to Bring.

We invite members of the circle to bring their individual skills, wisdom and heart to the process of serving.

We join our community in providing spaces that support opportunities for insight, for growth, for understanding, for new learning — in all the ways that offer a chance to live a better life.

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“Thank you for helping us in the garden.

Thank you for giving us plants.”

— An elementary school student with a REAL School Garden

We serve children through a process of Reflecting on Experience.

We serve children within a spirit of Embracing the Journey.

We believe that real knowledge, the kind that becomes an integral part of who we are and how we live, flows from a commitment to reflecting on experience. We are deliberate both in making time to engage in that process and in honoring the wisdom that emerges.

We believe in the value of process over product and trust the process to lead in the right direction.

Our work is embedded in the joy of learning, and we embrace the questions that lead us to deeper knowledge and understanding.

We serve children by honoring the Power of the Heart.

We serve children by expressing our Respect and Gratitude.

We intentionally create an environment of We begin and end every conversation with “thank welcome, of tolerance and deep listening, in which you.” We honor the gifts of each person in the each voice in the circle feels safe and supported in circle and respectfully seek their wisdom at every expressing the thoughts and feelings that touch opportunity. them most deeply. We honor and cultivate both the landscape within and the natural landscapes We serve children by we create in partnership with our school Celebrating Excellence. communities.

We encourage a journey toward excellence in every facet of our process, and we frequently take time to celebrate success.

We serve children through a commitment to Environmental Stewardship.

We honor the web of life, the deep interconnectedness that sustains all of life.

We take care to insure that our work moves towards sustaining the health of our planet, our community and the children we serve.

Photo Credits: Matthew Rainwater REAL School Gardens

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