2023 - 2024 School Year

The 23 - 24 school year started off great! The students are learning how to take over the roles of last year's students. The milkweed in our garden has provided many Monarchs a place to lay their eggs. Just in the first week of school, we found over thirty Monarch caterpillars!

This Monarch caterpillar was venturing away from Milkweed. He was doing this because he's looking for a place to hang and transform into a chrysalis.

Looking at our Milkweed for more caterpillars.

We found so many the first week of school! Good thing we have so many helpers at the Harker School.

Some of us were even able to hold a Monarch Butterfly while we released them.

This generation of Monarchs will be the ones who migrate to Mexico. How exciting that we get to be a small part of their journey!

Safe travels little buddy!

Classroom Chrysalis

For the 23 - 24 school year, we are starting an initiative that will allow all classrooms at Harker the opportunity to raise and release a Monarch butterfly before they begin their journey back to Mexico. Classroom Chrysalis is officially up and running!

To the left shows students who are preparing to deliver a chrysalis in an enclosure to classrooms throughout Harker School.

Mrs. Dominic's and Mrs. Hill's 4th Grade Class

Mrs. Dominic's and Mrs. Hill's class is pictured releasing their butterfly in the garden, which they named "Greeny".

Ms. Taormina's and Ms. Mastella's 5th Grade Class

Ms. Taormina's and Ms. Mastella's class released a beautiful female Monarch. They were able to watch the butterfly emerge from her chrysalis during class!

Mrs. Ferrara's and Ms. Speis's 3rd Grade Class

Mrs. Ferrara's 3rd grade class was able to see their butterfly emerge! What an exciting day!

Mr. Biddle's and Mr. Lewis's 5th Grade Class

Their butterfly emerged during class for them to see! After Jimmy the Butterfly dried his wings, their class released him into the Harker Wings and Wonder Garden the following morning!

Mrs. Roberto's 5th Grade Class

Lily and Brandon ended up holding their Monarch male, who they named Bob Ross the Second. The butterflies were enjoying their enclosure so much that they didn't want to leave!