i. l e t t e r from j e a n n e m c c a r t y , Executive Director

iii. — iv. t r i b u t e to s u z a n n e r a l l p e a c o c k : r e m e m b e r i n g s u z y

n u r t u r i n g a g o o d i d e a : h o w r e a l s c h o o l g a r d e n s b e g a n

v. g o a l s and a c h i e v e m e n t s :

r e a c h i n g for the s k y and g r o w i n g l i k e a w e e d

vii. — viii. m i g u e l ’ s s t o r y : a c h a n c e to b l o s s o m

s e r v i n g t h o s e w h o n e e d i t m o s t

ix. g o a l s and a c h i e v e m e n t s : d i g g i n g i n

xi. — xii. d a v i d ’ s s t o r y : f r o m n e w g r o w t h c o m e n e w m e t h o d s

o u r c o r e v a l u e s

xiii. r e s u l t s and s u s t a i n a b i l i t y

xiv. — xv. s t a t e m e n t of a c t i v i t i e s

s t a t e m e n t of f i n a n c i a l p o s i t i o n

xvii. — xviii. e a s t f o r t w o r t h m o n t e s s o r i a c a d e m y ’ s s t o r y :

l e a r n i n g t a k e s f l i g h t c l a r e w a l k e r l e s l i e ’ s s t o r y : a b o u n t i f u l m i n d

xix. g r o w i n g the c o m m u n i t y : p l a n t i n g r o o t s

xxi. — xxii. b r i a n ’ s s t o r y : t h e r o o t of the p r o b l e m

r e f u g e e s e r v i c e s ’ s t o r y : f r e s h f o o d for f r e s h f a c e s

xxiii. p a r t n e r s h i p s

xxv.— xxvi. h o w to d o n a t e

xxvii. — xxvix. d o n o r s and c o n t r i b u t o r s

a w a r d s and r e c o g n i t i o ns t a f f and b o a r d of d i r e c t o r s

t a b l e of c o n t e n t s

To the Friends and Supporters of REAL School Gardens, the other day I watched as my one-year-old son pressed his small face against the window pane of our back door and shouted, “Bird, bird!” The

fervor behind his actions told me that he did not merely want to go outdoors; he needed to be there, surrounded by nature.

Just like my young son needs nature, so too do the 33,600 children whom REAL School Gardens

served this year in North Texas. By building dynamic outdoor classrooms and training teachers to

use them as living laboratories, we ensure children daily access to the many learning opportunities

afforded by nature that transform them from passive students to active learners. Meanwhile, as

the garden becomes deeply embedded into the school’s culture and community, the campus itself

transforms into a vibrant place where children grow happier, healthier and smarter.

As REAL School Gardens closes its first full year as an independent, 501 (c) 3 organization, we look

back on many wonderful transformations. For the first time, our team led four elementary school

partners through a community design process involving more than 1,126 children, parents and

educators. We witnessed drab school grounds transform into vibrant learning gardens, engaged

430 educators at two professional development events and brought together 812 community members

at four REAL People Networking Events. We celebrated statewide recognition for our collective work,

as Keep Texas Beautiful presented its Sadie Ray Graff Awards to educator Kerry Renta, Westcliff

Elementary School and REAL School Gardens. In the gardens themselves, children underwent

transformations too, in their attitudes toward learning, their understanding of nature and their

vision of the world around them. In this report, you can read the moving stories of three such children –

Miguel, David and Brian – whose transformations testify to the critical importance of our work.

I invite you to get involved too. Come visit one of our school gardens, and you may witness a child’s

discovery of life cycles, observe an after-school garden meeting or help harvest the season’s sweet

peppers. It takes everyone – our staff team, educators, parents, partners and supporters like you –

to give children the connection to nature they so desperately need. I hope this year’s annual report

speaks to everyone’s contributions, as we change the world – one child, one community, one

school garden at a time.

Sincerely,

l e t t e r from the e x e c u t i v e d i r e c t o r

a

I.

Jeanne McCartye x ecutiv e dir ect or

Looking ahead : Max Alice Carlson Applied Learning Center

Aloe Vera Barbados Aloe

In the garden, children learn that plants

are powerful, like the succulent aloe vera,

which has the power to sooth and to heal.

Our mission is an important and timely one – to cultivate relationships

with elementary school communities to create learning gardens

that raise hope, spark imaginations and connect children to nature.

Reaching for the Sky.

Each year, REAL School Gardens sets ambitious goals. After all, the more school gardens

we establish, the more young hearts and minds we will nurture through nature. Even as we

expand our programming to reach more students, we remain focused on our organization’s

mission by working toward the following key goals:

our four k e y goals

Help elementary schools create, support and sustain school gardens so children connect with nature in engaging, nurturing and inspirational ways.

Encourage the use of school gardens to support children’s learning of skills, processes and content while immersing them in the natural world.

Foster a cooperative spirit among schools, families and the surrounding community through involvement with school gardens.

Create a vibrant, sharing network of educators and partners who commit to putting school gardens at the heart of urban neighborhoods.

Growing Like a Weed.

Our focused and carefully crafted strategy has paid off with a six-year track record of success

in northern Texas and a firm foundation for national expansion. This year, we installed four

new school gardens, all located in Tarrant County, Texas.

t he four ne w school gar dens

Birdville Elementary School, March 28

Hubbard Heights Elementary School, April 4

David E. Smith Elementary School, April 18

Veda Knox Elementary School, May 16

g o a l s and a c h i e v e m e n t s

m

V.

Remembering Suzy.

Suzy Peacock was a dreamer. But unlike most

“dreamers,” Suzy was also a “doer.”

In 1992, she and Richard Rainwater teamed up

to help children in urban communities have a

better chance to live a good life. A few years later, REAL School Gardens was

born and Suzy’s vision to enrich the lives of children was well on its way to

becoming a reality.

Suzy believed that the best way to embed learning into life was to experience it

outdoors. So one school at a time, Suzy, along with a devoted REAL School Gardens

team, worked together with teachers, parents and partners to create learning

gardens that raise hope, spark imaginations and connect children to nature.

Thanks to her tireless dedication, tens of thousands of children and educators in

North Texas have access to the unique learning experiences afforded by their school

gardens. Her legacy deserves our celebration.

Partnering with dozens of schools in North Texas, Suzy touched thousands of lives

and helped to create a rock path steady and strong. If she were here now, she would

ask each of us to listen to the quiet, to hold hands and walk in the same direction

to continue the mission of REAL School Gardens.

We will, Suzy. Your spirit and example will be in our hearts, always.

Suzanne Rall Peacock

REAL School Gardens

Cofounder and Board Member

March 14, 1944 – October 3, 2009

3.

photo credit : Matthew Rainwater

Looking ahead : Max Alice Carlson Applied Learning Center

Aloe Vera Barbados Aloe

In the garden, children learn that plants

are powerful, like the succulent aloe vera,

which has the power to sooth and to heal.

REAL School Gardens began in 2003 because of teachers’ increasing

interest in using the outdoors to engage children in learning,

particularly those students most at risk of being denied

nature’s valuable lessons.

They believed then, and we still believe today, that hands-on,

experiential learning − particularly in the outdoors − is the

most effective instructional practice available and a valuable

way to increase parent and community involvement in schools.

the first REAL school garden

Sam Rosen Elementary School

est. 2003

Nurturing a good idea.

How REAL School Gardens began.

4.

Our mission is an important and timely one – to cultivate relationships

with elementary school communities to create learning gardens

that raise hope, spark imaginations and connect children to nature.

Reaching for the Sky.

Each year, REAL School Gardens sets ambitious goals. After all, the more school gardens

we establish, the more young hearts and minds we will nurture through nature. Even as we

expand our programming to reach more students, we remain focused on our organization’s

mission by working toward the following key goals:

our four k e y goals

Help elementary schools create, support and sustain school gardens so children connect with nature in engaging, nurturing and inspirational ways.

Encourage the use of school gardens to support children’s learning of skills, processes and content while immersing them in the natural world.

Foster a cooperative spirit among schools, families and the surrounding community through involvement with school gardens.

Create a vibrant, sharing network of educators and partners who commit to putting school gardens at the heart of urban neighborhoods.

Growing Like a Weed.

Our focused and carefully crafted strategy has paid off with a six-year track record of success

in northern Texas and a firm foundation for national expansion. This year, we installed four

new school gardens, all located in Tarrant County, Texas.

t he four ne w school gar dens

Birdville Elementary School, March 28

Hubbard Heights Elementary School, April 4

David E. Smith Elementary School, April 18

Veda Knox Elementary School, May 16

g o a l s and a c h i e v e m e n t s

m

V.

Digging in : Sophia

Greenbriar Elementary School

Helianthus Annuus Sunf low er

Just like young minds, sunflowers can grow

to mammoth proportions. These hearty

plants and eager children realize that the

sky is the limit in a REAL school garden.

Digging In.

Like all living things, school gardens require a nurturing hand to survive and flourish.

Bringing nature-centered learning opportunities to more than 33,000 children and nearly

2,000 educators is a big job – and REAL School Gardens has been doing this successfully for

six years. Each year, we provide the following services to our school partners:

Gar den Support t hat giv es school gar dens a chance t o t hr iv e

School partners benefit from community-driven garden design and installation; year-round planting and maintenance guidance; community outreach assistance; and permanent

inclusion in the network to ensure their future success and sustainability.

THIS YEAR our staff made 127 visits to partnering schools for garden support.

Prof essional De v elopment and Networ king t hat open door s for educat or s t o innovat e

Six annual professional development opportunities, expert presentations and model-teaching lessons help educators to integrate school gardens into their core curriculum.

Four yearly networking events nurture a vibrant community.

Throughout the year, our Educator visits schools, teaches in gardens and shows educators and students a glimpse at what is possible when Mother Nature holds class.

THIS YEAR we engaged 430 participants in professional development focused on outdoor learning and brought together 812 participants at dynamic networking events.

We also conducted 25 garden integration model teaching visits, providing expertise to show 169 educators and 3,949 students what can be learned in the outdoor classroom.

Community Building t hat giv es r ise t o a cooper ativ e spir it

Parents and community members serve as volunteers, supporters and partners in creating and sustaining the gardens year-round. We foster a cooperative

spirit that helps to sustain school gardens in the long term.

THIS YEAR 1,126 individuals from schools, families and local communities played an active role in the design and installation of our four new gardens.

g o a l s and a c h i e v e m e n t s

J

IX.

A chance to blossom.

After attending four schools in three years, Miguel eventually

landed at Greenbriar Elementary School in Fort Worth. One day,

while pounding away at clumps of dirt in the garden, Miguel confided

in his after-school program director: Hitting the clumps of dirt

reminded him of what his father did to his mother every day.

While heartbreaking and tragic, his story also provided

a ray of sunshine. With that information, the program

director alerted school administrators who helped Miguel

receive much-needed counseling.

Thanks to counseling and continued time in the garden, Miguel

underwent a profound transformation. He became more involved

in school, started opening up to teachers and friends and began

spending every spare minute working in the garden.

That day, the garden provided a sanctuary for a little boy to

reveal his deepest secrets, reminding us that nature’s power is

truly awe-inspiring.

Miguel Sanchez, age 8

7.

Digging in : Sophia

Greenbriar Elementary School

Helianthus Annuus Sunf low er

Just like young minds, sunflowers can grow

to mammoth proportions. These hearty

plants and eager children realize that the

sky is the limit in a REAL school garden.

While we strive to bring life-changing outdoor learning

opportunities to as many children as possible, we also aim to

reach the children who have the least daily access to nature.

The majority of the students we serve are:

1. Low-income elementary students aged four to 11

in urban areas,

2. Less likely to have daily access to nature based on where

they live and

3. Classified as “at-risk” due to their families’ income

level and language barriers.

We select elementary school partners that exhibit these key

factors for success:

1. Strong leadership,

2. A commitment to integrating the garden into the

curriculum and

3. A focus on parental and community involvement.

8.

Serving Those Who Need It Most.

Digging In.

Like all living things, school gardens require a nurturing hand to survive and flourish.

Bringing nature-centered learning opportunities to more than 33,000 children and nearly

2,000 educators is a big job – and REAL School Gardens has been doing this successfully for

six years. Each year, we provide the following services to our school partners:

Gar den Support t hat giv es school gar dens a chance t o t hr iv e

School partners benefit from community-driven garden design and installation; year-round planting and maintenance guidance; community outreach assistance; and permanent

inclusion in the network to ensure their future success and sustainability.

THIS YEAR our staff made 127 visits to partnering schools for garden support.

Prof essional De v elopment and Networ king t hat open door s for educat or s t o innovat e

Six annual professional development opportunities, expert presentations and model-teaching lessons help educators to integrate school gardens into their core curriculum.

Four yearly networking events nurture a vibrant community.

Throughout the year, our Educator visits schools, teaches in gardens and shows educators and students a glimpse at what is possible when Mother Nature holds class.

THIS YEAR we engaged 430 participants in professional development focused on outdoor learning and brought together 812 participants at dynamic networking events.

We also conducted 25 garden integration model teaching visits, providing expertise to show 169 educators and 3,949 students what can be learned in the outdoor classroom.

Community Building t hat giv es r ise t o a cooper ativ e spir it

Parents and community members serve as volunteers, supporters and partners in creating and sustaining the gardens year-round. We foster a cooperative

spirit that helps to sustain school gardens in the long term.

THIS YEAR 1,126 individuals from schools, families and local communities played an active role in the design and installation of our four new gardens.

g o a l s and a c h i e v e m e n t s

J

IX.

Dreaming of what a classroom can be

David E. Smith Elementary School

Aeshna Grandis Brown Hawk er Dr agonf ly

When children enter school gardens, their

learning takes flight in unpredictable ways.

r e s u l t s and s u s t a i n a b i l i t yXIII.

Through REAL School Gardens, children become better students,

better learners, better friends, better citizens and, ultimately better

grown-ups – and teachers become better teachers.

Boosting Academic Achievement.

School gardens are three-dimensional textbooks that reinforce, extend and bring to life what

children are learning indoors. When we began our programming in the Fort Worth Independent

School District in 2003, students’ science scores at our partner schools were at the district average.

In 2008, those same schools scored more than eleven points higher than the district average.

“I can’t believe that the children exhibit such vast knowledge. Even at such a young age the students knew so much about what they are doing and why. Thank you for this experience.”

Tamek a Lane, Shr e v eport, Louisiana af t er visiting a r eal school gar den

Cultivating Character.

Gardening activities and outdoor time positively impact the growth and development of the

whole child, nurturing creativity and imagination, instilling environmental stewardship

lessons and teaching essential life skills, such as teamwork, leadership and responsibility.

“As students tend the garden, they learn that as a plant needs certain things to thrive and survive, so do they.”

Caroline Hill, Educat or , Mor ningside Elementary School

Fostering Healthy Lifestyles.

With childhood obesity on the rise, school gardens emphasize healthy lifestyles and nutrition,

while giving students access to regular, invigorating outdoor activity. Children – many for the

first time – see, touch and care for the plants, which in turn will nourish their young bodies.

“When I grow up, I want to be a gardener. I want to grow vegetables and fruits.”

Fif t h-Gr ade S tudent wit h a REAL school gar den

2

From new growth come new methods.

Many of us avoid products with labels that read “assembly required.”

Just reading the instructions can be daunting. It’s no wonder then

that a teacher from Veda Knox Elementary School was taken aback by

the performance of one student during the construction of a shed in

their REAL school garden.

The student, David, was reading the instructions quietly, digesting

the information and then efficiently delegating tasks to his 15

classmates. Earlier in the year, David had failed the reading portion

of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test.

Imagine the teacher’s surprise when this student, who had struggled

in reading all year, was not only reading the assembly manual but

implementing the instructions while managing a team of his peers.

The teacher learned a valuable lesson from David. He now uses hands-on,

experiential learning approaches to teach reading and takes advantage

of the teachable moments in his school garden.

David Robinson, age 9

11.

Dreaming of what a classroom can be

David E. Smith Elementary School

Aeshna Grandis Brown Hawk er Dr agonf ly

When children enter school gardens, their

learning takes flight in unpredictable ways.

Our Core Values.

12.

1. We serve children within a SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY.

2. We serve children in an atmosphere of INVITATION AND

HOSPITALITY.

3. We serve children within a belief that EACH INDIVIDUAL

HAS A GIFT TO BRING.

4. We serve children through a process of RESPECTFUL LISTENING.

5. We serve children by promoting the FREEDOM TO CREATE.

6. We serve children by supporting the value of

TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCES.

7. We serve children through a process of REFLECTING ON

EXPERIENCE.

8. We serve children by expressing our RESPECT AND GRATITUDE.

9. We serve children by CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE.

10. We serve children through a commitment to ENVIRONMENTAL

STEWARDSHIP.

11. We serve children within a spirit of EMBRACING THE JOURNEY.

12. We serve children by honoring the POWER OF THE HEART.

r e s u l t s and s u s t a i n a b i l i t yXIII.

Through REAL School Gardens, children become better students,

better learners, better friends, better citizens and, ultimately better

grown-ups – and teachers become better teachers.

Boosting Academic Achievement.

School gardens are three-dimensional textbooks that reinforce, extend and bring to life what

children are learning indoors. When we began our programming in the Fort Worth Independent

School District in 2003, students’ science scores at our partner schools were at the district average.

In 2008, those same schools scored more than eleven points higher than the district average.

“I can’t believe that the children exhibit such vast knowledge. Even at such a young age the students knew so much about what they are doing and why. Thank you for this experience.”

Tamek a Lane, Shr e v eport, Louisiana af t er visiting a r eal school gar den

Cultivating Character.

Gardening activities and outdoor time positively impact the growth and development of the

whole child, nurturing creativity and imagination, instilling environmental stewardship

lessons and teaching essential life skills, such as teamwork, leadership and responsibility.

“As students tend the garden, they learn that as a plant needs certain things to thrive and survive, so do they.”

Caroline Hill, Educat or , Mor ningside Elementary School

Fostering Healthy Lifestyles.

With childhood obesity on the rise, school gardens emphasize healthy lifestyles and nutrition,

while giving students access to regular, invigorating outdoor activity. Children – many for the

first time – see, touch and care for the plants, which in turn will nourish their young bodies.

“When I grow up, I want to be a gardener. I want to grow vegetables and fruits.”

Fif t h-Gr ade S tudent wit h a REAL school gar den

2

s t a t e m e n t of a c t i v i t i e sXIV.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009.

temporarily

t o t a l

unrestricted restricted 2009

R e v enue and o t her support

Contributions $ 1,028,716 $ 180,361 $ 1,209,077

Interest income 4,993 — 4,993

Rental income 50,578 — 50,578

Miscellaneous income 803 — 803

total revenue and other support $ 1,085,090 $ 180,361 $ 1,265,451

Expenses

Program services 853,490 — 853,490

Management and general 139,244 — 139,244

Fundraising 70,583 — 70,583

total expenses 1,063,297 — 1,063,297

change in net assets 21,793 180,361 202,154

Net assets at beginning of year 466,858 — 466,858

net assets at end of year $ 488,651 $ 180,361 $ 699,012

f

s t a t e m e n t of f i n a n c i a l p o s i t i o nXV.

REAL School Gardens’ first full fiscal year* operating independently

as a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization was 2008 – 2009.* Our income

for the year was $1.26 million, with almost 95% representing

contributions from foundations, corporations and individuals and our

total spending came to $1.06 million. This year we sought to diversify funding

sources and establish relationships with foundations, corporations and

individuals who share our desire to inspire children and encourage educators.

Temporarily restricted contributions are designated for our expansion

into Dallas Independent School District elementary schools within our

North Texas region and for a demonstration garden at our headquarters

in Fort Worth, Texas.

Sowing the Seeds of Change.

f

p ro gr a m s e r v i c e s

8 0 %m a n a ge m e n t and ge n e r a l

1 3 %f u n d r a i s i n g

7 %

* Operating since April 2003 with the Botanical Research Institute of Texas serving as our fiscal sponsor, REAL School Gardens was incorporated

as a 501(c)3 organization in November 2007. With incorporation, our fiscal year changed from the calendar year to the academic year and now

begins on July 1 and ends on June 30.

Learning takes root: Alicia and YizelHubbard Heights Elementary School

Taraxacum Officinale Dandelion

School gardens give children the ability to

soar, just like the seeds of a dandelion and the

beautiful Monarch butterfly wings they study.

g r o w i n g the c o m m u n i t yXIX.

Planting Roots.

Community support and investment are critical to the success of our

gardens. That’s why we reach out to local businesses, adopt-a-school

partners, service groups, churches and other agencies to encourage

their participation in public education through the outdoor classrooms.

Schools take great pride in knowing that the garden belongs to everyone and

that the community supports them.

This y ear , REAL School Gar dens’ community member s contr ibut ed in man y way s:

634 parents and family members participated in eight garden planning meetings for the four new school gardens.

331 youth and adults from the community contributed a total of 1,500 volunteer hours to REAL School Gardens’ projects.

53 schools recruited volunteers from their individual communities, logging thousands of additional volunteer hours in their gardens.

14 community members served on the ACORNS Advisory Board.

17 community members provided support to three Leadership Teams.

It truly takes a village to grow a school garden. Everyone, from kindergarteners to principals,

is involved in the REAL School Gardens planning process. To design their dream garden,

community members at David E. Smith Elementary School in Haltom City, Texas, began

with colored pencils. The children sketched pizza gardens, lizard hotels, a Zen reading garden,

archeology dig areas and, of course, vegetable beds. With guidance from garden experts,

educators, administrators and parents looked to the children’s ideas as they developed final

design plans. Just a few months later, more than 160 volunteers broke ground in the garden,

transforming a blank courtyard into a beautiful garden showcase in just a few hours.

F

The beauty of a school garden is that lessons learned inside

the classroom can easily be taken outdoors. School gardens

are living classrooms where lessons learned from textbooks and

worksheets become real, meaningful and powerful to students.

At East Fort Worth Montessori Academy students participated in

a school-wide project raising Monarch caterpillars and butterflies

in the fall and spring semesters. Indoors, the students

watched the caterpillars transform into beautiful Monarch

butterflies. Then, they literally took their lessons outside,

tagging the Monarchs and releasing them in their school gardens.

The students made the connection that the eggs and caterpillars

they see in the garden are part of a magical cycle of life.

Through their school garden, these students engaged in

experiential learning that truly transcended school walls.

17.

Learning takes flight.

Transforming tiny lives.

Learning takes root: Alicia and YizelHubbard Heights Elementary School

Taraxacum Officinale Dandelion

School gardens give children the ability to

soar, just like the seeds of a dandelion and the

beautiful Monarch butterfly wings they study.

18.

Clare Walker Leslie may not be a household name, but to the students

of Westcliff Elementary School in Fort Worth, she truly is a celebrity.

Clare is the author of 11 books, including Nature All Year Long and

Keeping a Nature Journal: Discover a Whole New Way of Seeing the

World Around You.

In February 2009, she visited the school and brought with her the

knowledge of more than 30 years as a nature-lover, naturalist, author

and artist. With her characteristic enthusiasm, she showed the

students how to incorporate drawing into their journaling, making

their time in the garden even more valuable.

The children were amazed at the amount of detail they found as they

focused on noting and drawing in their journals every aspect of their

garden. At the end of the day, with

journals bursting and imaginations

soaring, the children learned that

no matter how closely you look,

nature will always reveal something

new and fascinating.

A bountiful mind.

Clare Walker Leslie sketchingphoto credit : Matthew Rainwater

g r o w i n g the c o m m u n i t yXIX.

Planting Roots.

Community support and investment are critical to the success of our

gardens. That’s why we reach out to local businesses, adopt-a-school

partners, service groups, churches and other agencies to encourage

their participation in public education through the outdoor classrooms.

Schools take great pride in knowing that the garden belongs to everyone and

that the community supports them.

This y ear , REAL School Gar dens’ community member s contr ibut ed in man y way s:

634 parents and family members participated in eight garden planning meetings for the four new school gardens.

331 youth and adults from the community contributed a total of 1,500 volunteer hours to REAL School Gardens’ projects.

53 schools recruited volunteers from their individual communities, logging thousands of additional volunteer hours in their gardens.

14 community members served on the ACORNS Advisory Board.

17 community members provided support to three Leadership Teams.

It truly takes a village to grow a school garden. Everyone, from kindergarteners to principals,

is involved in the REAL School Gardens planning process. To design their dream garden,

community members at David E. Smith Elementary School in Haltom City, Texas, began

with colored pencils. The children sketched pizza gardens, lizard hotels, a Zen reading garden,

archeology dig areas and, of course, vegetable beds. With guidance from garden experts,

educators, administrators and parents looked to the children’s ideas as they developed final

design plans. Just a few months later, more than 160 volunteers broke ground in the garden,

transforming a blank courtyard into a beautiful garden showcase in just a few hours.

F

Inspiring innovative teaching practicesComo Montessori School

Athyrium Filix Lady Fer n

Just as there are many different species of

fern, there are many different styles of

learning – which REAL school gardens are

designed to accommodate.

p a r t n e r s h i p sXXIII.

2008 — 2009.

REAL School Gardens gratefully recognizes those who help to put

school gardens at the heart of urban neighborhoods.

partner ships

David Aftandilian, PhD., and his dedicated Texas Christian University (TCU) students

Alpha Phi Omega Service Group at TCU

Andrews Institute of Mathematics & Science Education at TCU

Arlington Independent School District

Birdville Independent School District

Botanical Research Institute of Texas

Center for Community Involvement & Service-Learning at TCU

Dallas Independent School District

Dimensions Educational Research Foundation, Nebraska City, Nebraska

Fort Worth Independent School District

Fort Worth Parks and Community Services, City of Fort Worth

Frog Camp at TCU

Grand Prairie Independent School District

Keep Fort Worth Beautiful

Keep Grand Prairie Beautiful

Keep Haltom City Beautiful

Keep Texas Beautiful

Rainwater Charitable Foundation

Redenta’s Garden

Refugee Services of Texas, Fort Worth

Tarrant County Juvenile Services

Tarrant County Sheriff's Department

Teton Science School, Jackson Hole, Wyoming

6

The root of the problem.

Teachers know that different students have different learning styles.

However, during the everyday classroom routine, these differences sometimes

get overlooked.

Brian was a handful. A kindergartener at one of our partner schools, he had

trouble focusing, sitting still and working cooperatively. Like his classmates,

Brian loved being in the garden, but often his behavior problems led to

restrictions on his time outside.

One day during some time in the garden, Brian’s teacher noticed how diligently

he was pulling weeds. Later, she watched him working hard at turning the soil

and then carefully digging holes for seeds. And the teacher realized that it

wasn’t Brian who needed to change – it was she.

With his hands occupied, Brian could engage in and complete tasks without getting

distracted or frustrated. Once his teacher recognized how active, hands-on

learning motivated Brian, she began to increase, instead of decrease, his

time in the garden. Soon, his garden activity translated into progress in the

classroom, as Brian was calmer and more able to focus on his assignments.

Now, just like the garden he tends, Brian is thriving.

Brian Johnson, age 6

21.

Inspiring innovative teaching practicesComo Montessori School

Athyrium Filix Lady Fer n

Just as there are many different species of

fern, there are many different styles of

learning – which REAL school gardens are

designed to accommodate.

22.

Moving to a new country is not easy. For refugees associated with Refugee

Services of Texas in Fort Worth, it is often a stressful transition, tempered

by the excitement and hopefulness that comes with beginning a new life. With

few resources, these refugees depend on help from several community organizations

as they acclimate to a new culture and environment.

REAL School Gardens is proud to be one of these organizations. Through our

partnership with Center for Community Involvement & Service-Learning at Texas

Christian University, five REAL school gardens donate fresh produce to these

individuals and families, giving them a warm welcome to their new home and a

healthy start to their new life.

Fresh food for fresh faces.

Putting down roots.

harvesting squash at a

REAL school garden

p a r t n e r s h i p sXXIII.

2008 — 2009.

REAL School Gardens gratefully recognizes those who help to put

school gardens at the heart of urban neighborhoods.

partner ships

David Aftandilian, PhD., and his dedicated Texas Christian University (TCU) students

Alpha Phi Omega Service Group at TCU

Andrews Institute of Mathematics & Science Education at TCU

Arlington Independent School District

Birdville Independent School District

Botanical Research Institute of Texas

Center for Community Involvement & Service-Learning at TCU

Dallas Independent School District

Dimensions Educational Research Foundation, Nebraska City, Nebraska

Fort Worth Independent School District

Fort Worth Parks and Community Services, City of Fort Worth

Frog Camp at TCU

Grand Prairie Independent School District

Keep Fort Worth Beautiful

Keep Grand Prairie Beautiful

Keep Haltom City Beautiful

Keep Texas Beautiful

Rainwater Charitable Foundation

Redenta’s Garden

Refugee Services of Texas, Fort Worth

Tarrant County Juvenile Services

Tarrant County Sheriff's Department

Teton Science School, Jackson Hole, Wyoming

6

Real-world, hands-on learning : LaTonya

H.V. Helbing Elementary School

photo credit

: Matthew R

ainwater

Rubus Fruticosus Blackber ry

A blackberry is an “aggregate fruit” composed

of individual drupelets that are each packaged

carefully around one seed. The fruit has a unique

structure that contributes to its nutritional

value, and is a great metaphor for how individual

students come together for the betterment of a

classroom as a whole.

d o n o r s and c o n t r i b u t o r sXXVII.

REAL School Gardens gratefully acknowledges the generosity of

those who provided financial support, as well as those contributing

discounts and in-kind donations this year.

donor s

Andrews Institute of Mathematics & Science Education at Texas Christian University

Anonymous

Bank of America Charitable Foundation

Judy Cates

Colonial Country Club Charities

Pat Dorraj

Jennifer Fitzgerald and Wesley Wright

Kelli Graham

Patricia and Tom Harrison

Keep Texas Beautiful

Amber and Brian Keller

Let’s Go Green

Jeanne McCarty and Jason Hewitt

Terri McGuire

Motorola Foundation

Suzanne Rall Peacock

Rainwater Charitable Foundation

The Thomas M., Helen McKee & John P. Ryan Foundation, Inc.

Charlotte Sassman

Michelle Schneider

Courtney Schwarten

Eric Vanderbeck and Kathy Cash

Alphagraphics

America the Beautiful Fund

Vicki and Ed Bass

Bonnie Plants

Chadra Mezza & Grill

Philip Combs and Philip Combs Design

Cousin's Restaurants, Inc.

D Consulting & Creative Writing

Fort Worth Parks and Community Service Department, City of Fort Worth

Barbara A. Friedman

Kelly Garrett

GlennScape LLC

Sue Handman and Handman Design

Harvest Supply

Lowe’s Home Improvement

Randi McKinney and Cook Children’s Health Care System

Mercado Juarez Catering

Debra Morrow and Morrow & Company

Oscar's Mexican Restaurant

Pizzaiolo's Restaurant

Matthew Rainwater

Tom and Karen Rall

Redenta’s Garden

Sharon Schoech

Jeremy Smith

Sutherlands

TCU Barnes and Noble Bookstore

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Texas de Brazil Churrascaria

Texas Department of Transportation

Tim's Landscape

Tiny Seeds

Weston Gardens in Bloom, Inc.

YourOutDoors, Inc.

N

contr ibut or s

25.

HOW TO DONATE.

When you give to REAL School Gardens, you give the gift of

hope and imagination to children who need it most. Your

donation helps elementary schools grow gardens that excite

children, engage teachers, encourage parents and involve

entire communities. Share our dream! Together we can change

the world one school garden at a time.

You can make your tax-deductible donation online at

REALschoolgardens.org.

If you prefer, you may call us at 817.348.8102 or mail your

donation to 503 Bryan Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas 76104.

Your support makes a difference in the lives of children and

is greatly appreciated.

Real-world, hands-on learning : LaTonya

H.V. Helbing Elementary School

photo credit

: Matthew R

ainwater

Rubus Fruticosus Blackber ry

A blackberry is an “aggregate fruit” composed

of individual drupelets that are each packaged

carefully around one seed. The fruit has a unique

structure that contributes to its nutritional

value, and is a great metaphor for how individual

students come together for the betterment of a

classroom as a whole. NAME

COMPANY

ADDRESS

CITY ST zIP

EMAIL

PHONE

ENCLOSED IS MY TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION IN THE AMOUNT OF:

PLEASE USE MY DONATION TO: (check one)

support greatest need support North Texas gardens

support growing movement nationally

other

ENCLOSED IS MY CHECK MADE PAYABLE TO REAL SCHOOL GARDENS

PLEASE CHARGE MY CREDIT CARD: visa mastercard amex discover

card no. exp.date

sec. code signature

26.

I would like to make a donation to

REAL School Gardens.

$

d o n o r s and c o n t r i b u t o r sXXVII.

REAL School Gardens gratefully acknowledges the generosity of

those who provided financial support, as well as those contributing

discounts and in-kind donations this year.

donor s

Andrews Institute of Mathematics & Science Education at Texas Christian University

Anonymous

Bank of America Charitable Foundation

Judy Cates

Colonial Country Club Charities

Pat Dorraj

Jennifer Fitzgerald and Wesley Wright

Kelli Graham

Patricia and Tom Harrison

Keep Texas Beautiful

Amber and Brian Keller

Let’s Go Green

Jeanne McCarty and Jason Hewitt

Terri McGuire

Motorola Foundation

Suzanne Rall Peacock

Rainwater Charitable Foundation

The Thomas M., Helen McKee & John P. Ryan Foundation, Inc.

Charlotte Sassman

Michelle Schneider

Courtney Schwarten

Eric Vanderbeck and Kathy Cash

Alphagraphics

America the Beautiful Fund

Vicki and Ed Bass

Bonnie Plants

Chadra Mezza & Grill

Philip Combs and Philip Combs Design

Cousin's Restaurants, Inc.

D Consulting & Creative Writing

Fort Worth Parks and Community Service Department, City of Fort Worth

Barbara A. Friedman

Kelly Garrett

GlennScape LLC

Sue Handman and Handman Design

Harvest Supply

Lowe’s Home Improvement

Randi McKinney and Cook Children’s Health Care System

Mercado Juarez Catering

Debra Morrow and Morrow & Company

Oscar's Mexican Restaurant

Pizzaiolo's Restaurant

Matthew Rainwater

Tom and Karen Rall

Redenta’s Garden

Sharon Schoech

Jeremy Smith

Sutherlands

TCU Barnes and Noble Bookstore

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Texas de Brazil Churrascaria

Texas Department of Transportation

Tim's Landscape

Tiny Seeds

Weston Gardens in Bloom, Inc.

YourOutDoors, Inc.

N

contr ibut or s

a w a r d s and r e c o g n i t i o n sXXVIII.

2008 — 2009.

F or REAL School Gardens, this year’s planting, watering and weeding

has paid off — and not just with beautiful tomatoes.

addy awar ds

Presented by the American Advertising Federation

REAL School Gardens won a national silver ADDY for our website;

a gold ADDY for our website at the District Level;

and a silver ADDY for our interactive flash intro at the District Level.

We also received a Fort Worth ADDY for our branded stationery.

k eep t e x as beautiful

A statewide conference in Houston, June 10, 2009

Program Director Scott Feille presented a keynote address at its annual conference.

sadie r ay gr af f awar d for a civic organization

Presented by Keep Texas Beautiful to REAL School Gardens

A statewide accolade for a civic organization engaged in environmental education.

sadie r ay gr af f awar d for an elementary school

Presented by Keep Texas Beautiful to Westcliff Elementary School

and fourth-grade teacher Kerry Renta.

A statewide accolade for an elementary school engaged in environmental education.

Please help us plant more seeds in young minds for a brighter future.

In the garden possibilities abound; hopes and dreams come alive.

R

s t a f f and b o a r d of d i r e c t o r sXXVIX.

2008 — 2009.

REAL School Gardens gratefully recognizes the efforts of its staff and

board members who keep the organization and our programs thriving.

staf f

Heather Branham Program Assistant

Scott Feille Program Director

Jennifer Fitzgerald Director of Community Relations

Jeanne McCarty Executive Director

Terri Truly McGuire Chief Operating Officer

Nancy Payne Garden Designer

Charlotte Sassman Program Assistant

Eric Vanderbeck Educator

boar d of dir ect or s

Kelly Garrett Chairman

Jeanne McCarty

Suzanne Rall Peacock

Fred Thompson

A

R E A L : Rainwater Environmental Alliance for Learning

503 bryan avenue fort worth, texas 76104

p h o n e : 817.348.8102fax : 817.348.8680

REALschoolgardens.org