NAHANT — After an anonymous $80,000 donation and raising over $17,000 in its “Buy a Brick” fundraiser, the Johnson School’s new greenhouse is gearing up to be the next great endeavor for its students.
Raised beds, a water system and enough soil and seeds to supply a village have all come to fruition. All that’s left is for the students to finally sink their hands into the soil to start growing produce — a development that Superintendent Rob Liebow said will be coming within the next couple of weeks.
The journey toward a finished greenhouse has been a long time coming. It began with the anonymous donation, which laid the foundation, then came the efforts to raise money through the fundraiser, which saw the community come together and buy over 170 bricks to support the project.
“It’s the fulfillment of a dream for the kids, because it’s hands-on, practical, and it teaches them about the environment and the future,” Liebow said. “They’ll be running their own farmers’ market, growing and selling produce, which will help them learn about small businesses.”
Liebow speculated that the students could elect positions to help run the project once the farmers’ market is fully underway. He cited the benefits an after-school club could have on students interested in exploring the initiative. He and another faulty member — that’s yet to be determined — will oversee the group.
Another exciting element of the development will see the greenhouse providing fresh produce to the school during the winter months, as the school’s garden will then be out of commission.
The biggest part for Liebow, though, will be utilizing the school’s new minivan to deliver produce grown by students to local food banks in the area.
“It gives kids some sense that they’re giving back to the people that, maybe, don’t have as much as them,” Liebow said. “It helps give the kids a sense of humanity, which is pretty important in our world right now. … That’s definitely the biggest thing for me.”
He added that he expects the whole project to be fully up and running within the next few weeks.
Principal Heather Castonguay said the greenhouse presents an opportunity to connect learning with real-world skills.
“Students will first-hand see science, teamwork and sustainability that will impact our school and community,” she said.
