Construction of the Latimer Garden & Outdoor Classroom has begun!

Background

Latimer is a STEAM-focused K-8 school that uses Project Based Learning (PBL) as a key instruction method. We teach Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards through in-depth project study and exploration, helping students learn in an engaging, integrated manner.  A new garden and outdoor classroom space will enhance hands-on, PBL instruction at our school.

A garden planning committee spent the past year researching school gardens and considering uses, curriculum, funding and maintenance for a garden at Latimer.  We’re planning a large outdoor space with 13 raised beds: nine to support PBL instruction across nine grade levels, two for our Special Day Classes, one for our Extended Day Program, and one for a soon-to-be-established Student Garden Club. 

Plant and pollinator life cycles; health and nutrition; soil chemistry and biodegradation; ecosystems and adaptations; perimeter, area and arrays; collecting and analyzing data are just a few of the concepts that our “living classroom” will help to convey.

Click here for a Latimer Garden presentation from November 2019.

Get Involved!

We’re building a team of volunteers to assist with garden construction and maintenance.

If you’re interesting in installing drip irrigation, assembling garden beds, spreading wood chips, planting, weeding, or helping with other garden-related activities, please contact Amy Cody at amycody@gmail.com.

Site Plan

Location

School Garden Donors & Partners

A big THANK YOU to the many organizations & individuals providing monetary or other support for the Latimer Garden & Outdoor Classroom:

— Big Creek Lumber

— California Fertilizer Foundation

— Latimer Home & School Club

— Life Lab

— Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County

— Moreland Community Garden

— Moreland Education Foundation

— Moreland School District

— Office of San Jose VIce Mayor Chappie Jones

— Oster Elementary School Garden

— Raphdesign.com