Volunteers Beautify Entrance of Robbinsdale Middle School
Students who return to class at Robbinsdale Middle School in September will see new flowerbeds adorning the entrance of the school. Home Depot partnered with volunteers and teachers to create the perennial beds. The idea to reach out to Home Depot originated with the school’s International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program of teachers and administrators who meet monthly.
“The existing landscape beds had fallen into disrepair many years ago. Building funds are always better spent within the classroom,” said Jennifer Holtgrewe, a staff member at the school. “But there is something important about creating a clean, welcoming entrance to our learning space. It invites service and learning and connects us as partners to the people and wildlife in our neighborhood.”
Teachers hope the landscaping will engage students in several classes.
“Our humanities classes can observe the wildlife,” explained Nancy Lupardus-Twitchell, a teacher at Robbinsdale Middle School. “We can have groups of students out here continually helping to keep it up and keep it as beautiful as it will be soon.”
Home Depot volunteers worked on the beds and the company gave a $1500 grant for shrubs, perennials and plants.
“They said the students were driving this more than anybody,” said Les Hensten, a volunteer from Home Depot. “They were excited about the project and wanted to see a change to the front of their school. We embraced that wholeheartedly.”
Volunteers had one day to complete the task.
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