Sacred Heart Elementary Garden Project a community effort

KINGSTON, Mass. - May 3, 2016 - PRLog -- Sacred Heart School (www.sacredheartkingston.com), a private, Catholic, co-educational school in Kingston for students in preschool through grade 12, is delighted to announce creation of a sustainable school garden, a project being undertaken by high school, elementary and early childhood students and their families with support from local businesses and the community.

Students will learn where raw food comes from and what is required to nurture, grow and harvest a wide range of produce using sustainable and farm-to-table practices.  The fruits of their labors will be shared with local food pantries.

The Community Garden has a build date of May 14^th and will be situated in a full-sun graded location on the border of the elementary schoolyard.  Sixteen raised beds will yield a wide variety of vegetables, herbs and companion flowers.

Throughout the summer, campers at the school's Camp Morning Star will learn about and help maintain the gardens.

"We are absolutely overwhelmed by the generosity being demonstrated toward this project," said Kim Stoloski, Principal of Sacred Heart Elementary School.

Goodrich Lumber has donated all lumber for the garden and the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department is building the raised boxes.  Other Community Partners include the Jane Goodall Institute, DeMelo Brothers Landscaping, Ground Effects, Family Landscape Design, Sisters of Divine Providence and Terra Cura Inc.

The Community Garden project is also made possible through a $2,000 grant from The Whole Kids Foundation.  Grant funding is being used to purchase materials, basic garden tools, soil, seeds and a drip irrigation system.

"This exciting project will serve as lessons on where food comes from, sustainability and organic practices and will also provide palette expansion to students who may not be familiar with some of the crop," said Stoloski.  "Students will assist in all areas of the project, including planting, weeding, watering and the final harvest in August."

Once harvested, produce will be shared with local food pantries.

About Sacred Heart School

Sacred Heart is a private, co-educational Catholic school system, which provides educational opportunities for students throughout southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod, from preschool through grade 12.  As a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Divine Providence, Sacred Heart School strives to inspire minds, define character and encourage responsible leadership through a curriculum that prepares students to pursue knowledge throughout their lives. The school provides students with a strong liberal arts curriculum, and integrates technology into the hands of students with its One to One iPad Program. Sacred Heart also offers extensive athletic, arts and extra-curricular activities for students.  Founded in 1947, the school underwent a governance change in July 2011, incorporating the Sacred Heart Schools in Kingston, MA as Sacred Heart School System, Inc. This new structure was implemented to assure the continuation of academic excellence of the Sacred Heart Schools for the future, as well as the Catholic mission and the religious community traditions. The school system serves students on a beautiful, expansive campus on Route 80 that includes three school buildings, a central administrative office, and athletic fields and facilities. Sacred Heart School welcomes students of all faiths and diverse backgrounds. The school prides itself in a commitment to developing the whole student, offering an independent school atmosphere and top-tier academics. Pamela Desmarais serves as the school's President. The Sacred Heart campus is located at 251-399 Bishops Highway, Kingston, MA 02364. For additional information about the school, please visit www.sacredheartkingston.com or call 781-585-7511.