Flowery Elementary School: Fetters Hot Springs

Flowery Elementary sits in Fetters Hot Springs, just north of the town of Sonoma. They are a dual immersion elementary school spanning grades K-5. In kindergarten and 1st grades, 90% of instructional time is in Spanish with an emphasis on Spanish literacy. As students progress through the grades, English language instruction increases. By 4th grade, instructional time is nearly evenly divided between Spanish and English.

They're using their Cooking from the Garden grant 2011-2012 to promote healthy foods and provide students the opportunity to sample a wide range of foods that are healthy and organically grown. Students tend the garden on a year round basis and harvest the vegetables. Students receive a healthy snack at the end of each garden class, typically a vegetable on a piece of baguette, sunflower seeds, almonds, fruit, and herb samples with olive oil on bread.

The garden coordinator works with each class twice a month for a one hour session. Each teacher recruits one or two garden volunteers to assist during he scheduled visit. The Parent Teacher Organization has made the garden program the main priority for fundraising.