It's time to renovate our beloved school garden to make hands-on outdoor learning possible for years to come!

Thanks to you, Bloom Community, we raised an incredible $16,855 from 313 donors to benefit our beloved school garden this year!

Why Garden Renovation is Needed

Ten years ago, Bloom Elementary had limited outdoor play and green areas. Working together, our school community transformed the former asphalt playground into our beautiful new ParkGround. They also transformed a weedy patch in front of our school into our current raised bed school garden that is used for Mindfulness programming, including 1st grade Mindful FIE.

After ten years of continuous use, our beloved school garden is in dire need of renovation. The wooden raised beds need replacement, and Bloom teachers tell us the lack of shade and a comfortable meeting space are barriers to using our garden as an outdoor learning space.

Help us create an outdoor learning space that gets Bloom students outside more often and learning in nature! Our vision is to develop 3 outdoor classroom spaces to use for experiential learning that supports STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) and Literacy. These classrooms will include a sensory garden and an edible plants garden (a.k.a. Food for Thought Garden).

For more information about the Bloom Garden Project or to volunteer, please email Amanda Voils Levenda or Catherine Graber. Thank you!

Project Overview

Safer for students
- Improves teachers’ lines of sight
- Creates boundaries between students, sidewalks, the street, and the alley
- Moves bike rack to eliminate tripping hazard
- Discourages the public from using school spaces, including skateboarders
Larger and more accessible to accommodate instructional needs
- Expands learning space to include 3 outdoor classrooms for equitable learning
- Uses ground cover that is ADA accessible and absorbs sound
- Reconfigures wheelchair ramp to promote building accessibility
Moveable/flexible to accommodate future needs
- Metal planters can be moved if needed
Greener to promote positive school culture and climate
- Shades learning spaces with two trees
- Aligns with research about best practices for learning and wellness
Less maintenance and cost for groundskeepers
- Uses low cost and durable materials
- Requires minimal upkeep, watering, and resources

Outdoor Classroom I - STEAM & Literacy

Our vision is to create a K-5 experiential learning space that will serve as both an outdoor classroom and sensory garden where students can explore the natural world.

Promote K-5 outdoor learning in STEAM and Literacy
Regrade soil and install sustainable ground cover
Install sun shade with new tree cover and ADA accessible ground cover
Expand our pollinator-friendly native plants to attract wildlife, like butterflies and birds
Create a hands-on discovery area
Continue gardening instruction via K-5 Mindfulness programming

Outdoor Classroom II - Food for Thought Garden

Our vision is to create a K-5 outdoor learning lab for young gardeners, food scientists, and chefs where they will cultivate edible plants, and prepare and taste fresh healthy foods.

Replace the aging raised beds with new metal ones
Fill new beds with organic soil, heirloom vegetables, and native edible plants
Install signage, including plant and tree markers
Practice sustainable gardening and mindful eating
Continue nutrition instruction via K-5 Mindfulness programming
Install Walking Storytimes in all gardens

Outdoor Classroom III - STEAM & Literacy

Our vision is to create a K-5 outdoor learning space dedicated to supporting STEAM and Literacy skills.

Remove and rebuild the existing ramp to improve building accessibility.
Configure this space for an outdoor classroom with room for a whole class to gather
Provide flexible student seating and shade tree
Install additional bike rack

Read how bringing nature into our schools benefits children's cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and physical well-being! How Gardens and Greenspace Help Children

Last updated 08/19/2025

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