School Wellness

Garden Education

School gardens can improve student health and wellness, instill the value of healthy eating, increase physical activity, improve student achievement, and create highly engaging, interactive, and hands-on learning environments.

At all grade levels, schools are using the school gardens as outdoor classrooms where students learn a variety of subjects–science, math, art, cooking, and language arts. Many schools already have school gardens, and the Wellness Policy calls for expanding the garden education program within the district. The Wellness Policy references the OUSD Vegetation Policy that has guidelines for the gardens including rules about what can be planted, how garden pests and waste are to be managed, etc.

Check out more information here:

• OUSD Vegetation Policy
• Garden Education web page

For the latest on educational programming related to nutrition, environment, food, and gardens, such as Harvest of the Month and farm to school programs, visit The Center Education & Community Programming website.