Washington Avenue

Pleasantville, New Jersey WAS School Garden and Culinary Club Salad Day, a new Washington Avenue school tradition for the end of May, has been established. Thanks to the AtlantiCare Healthy School & Healthy Garden Award, Washington Avenue School, we had our seventh annual "Salad Day" on May 23rd, 2024, in cooperation with the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program. Every student and staff member enjoyed their own green and fruit salad. The Environmental Club planted the lettuce, spinach, radish, and kale seeds and seedlings. Students who helped plant the lettuce were very eager to eat the salad and even wanted seconds on Salad Day. The school garden is making a connection for the students about where food comes from. It is important to involve as many grades in the school garden so they can see that connection. The club weeded the garden and mulched it.

Finally, we harvested the greens to feed nearly 500 people—students and staff. The Environmental Club spent hours washing and spinning the lettuce in the teacher’s room before salad day. The Environmental Club was also able to enjoy the salad in December when we harvested greens from the fall planting. The grant also helped the after-school culinary club. The biweekly club of 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders was able to create healthy snacks such as smoothies and trail mixes. Students loved the twist and learned to use simple ingredients that they could easily have at home to make a yummy and healthy snack. The Culinary Club worked with the Multicultural Club to make healthy snacks from other countries. As an extra bonus, thanks to the grant, the 5th grade classes painted positive affirmation rocks and placed them all around the school garden for healthy endeavors.