Texas Discovery Gardens

The Woodall Foundation Community Garden at S.S. Conner Elementary School

The talented young gardeners at Conner have been prepping soil, cleaning up the school courtyard, weeding the organic way (by hand!), and learning all about gardening. They've had help from several wonderful partners along the way.

We will add raised beds, walkways, student-designed signage and seasonal vegetables to the garden, as well as native plants to the school courtyard. The school is partnering with Texas Discovery Gardens to facilitate the garden, which has been funded by the Woodall Foundation. Join us as we grow from the ground up in 2013!

The Thriving Minds After School "Woodall Foundation Community Garden" mission:

Empower our school’s community to create a learning garden in our courtyard that may serve as an integrated academic laboratory, arts venue and holistic learning center.

Why the urgency?

It is only through the active, structured and purposeful work of our school’s community (students, families, staff, faculty, administration and community members) that we can transform the lowest-performing school in Dallas into a world-class center for learning and community development that easily receives an “Academically Exceptional” rating.

How:

Support literacy and academic comprehension through thematic artistic expression by presenting original stagings of The Empty Pot by Demi.

Support scientific study and environmental responsibility by integrating Project Wild and Earthkeepers curriculum into current academic, fine arts and wellness instruction. Provide resources and instructional development to DISD and TMAS staff to align with state testing standards.

Facilitate family and community engagement opportunities through volunteerism. Offer holistic instruction in literacy, health, wellness, environmental and nutrition through partnering organizations.

Who:

Local partners

• Big Thought/Thriving Minds After School
• Janet Reynolds — Project Coordinator
• Texas Discovery Gardens
• Jim Folger
• Preservation Tree Services
• Trammel and Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art
• The Polyphonic Spree
• Yogiños: Yoga for Youth

National and Global Connections

• First Lady Michelle Obama’s nutrition and wellness campaigns
• The White House community garden
• Wangari Maathai’s Greenbelt Movement
• United Nations’ Billion Trees Campaign

Thank you to the Woodall Foundation for planting the seed for this community garden with a generous donation.

The Woodall Foundation was founded as a compassionate response for children in need. In February of 1999, Martin Woodall, Vice President of Mark Cuban Companies, wanted to give back to the community where he had lived, worked and experienced a great deal of financial success for the past 20 years. Forming a non profit foundation allowed Martin to accomplish this goal while at the same time help those less fortunate.
www.WoodallFoundation.com