Captain Planet’s Learning Garden Program Launched at Sedalia Park Elementary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) November 3, 2009 -- Captain Planet Foundation (CPF) has launched a series of sustainable gardens in public schools, the most recent one being planted at Sedalia Park Elementary in Cobb County. CPF President Ira Blumenthal, CPF Chair Laura Turner Seydel and Chairman of Cobb County School Board Dr. John Abraham all gave a few introductory remarks. Other members of the Cobb County School Board, Cobb County Superintendent Fred Sanderson, the Sedalia Park Elementary School staff, as well as Georgia Power, who serves as the presenting sponsor for the program, were all in attendance.

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Captain Planet’s Learning Garden Program Launched at Sedalia Park Elementary

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This program benefits schools from multiple angles because the teachers will utilize accompanying curriculum that includes math, science and social studies, all of which have been developed in tandem with their gardening experience. Captain Planet’s Learning Garden will integrate a traditional course of study into an outdoor classroom setting. Studies have shown that an engaging, multi-sensory experience is a key element in getting children to retain knowledge at a quicker pace.

"We are thrilled with the partnership developed between Captain Planet Foundation and Cobb County Schools. With six gardens now installed, we are focusing our collaborative attention to the development of curriculum designed to enhance and increase test scores in those mandatory learning areas. Our plan is to install another nine gardens next summer, bringing our Cobb County program to fifteen... ten elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools and the new North Cobb 9th Grade Learning Academy," said CPF President Ira Blumenthal.

All Captain Planet’s Learning Gardens are planned in accordance with “Georgia Performance Standards” so teachers will be able to teach their requirements while incorporating the use of the garden into their daily activities. This is also an exciting initiative because there have been numerous positive effects shown from children participating in outdoor classroom settings such as appreciation of nature, greater desire to eat fruits and vegetables, more patience, an understanding of teamwork, improved self-esteem and a sense of ownership.

Currently Learning Gardens are installed at Keheley Elementary School, Pine Mountain Middle School, Sedalia Park Elementary School, Murdock Elementary School, Fair Oaks Elementary School and Addison Elementary School. The full implementation of Captain Planet’s Learning Garden Program, the on-site garden and accompanying curriculum, will begin fall 2010. Captain Planet Foundation intends to execute the program nationwide over the next few years.

Farmer D Organics has been a key partner in planning and building all of these gardens. Prior to each planting Farmer D has given the children an overview of what they’ll learn and why these gardens are important to them and their community. Because these gardens are planted at schools, arrangements are being made for local community service organizations to take care of them when school is not in session.


Information on the Captain Planet Foundation

Based on the critically-acclaimed cartoon series, Captain Planet and the Planeteers, Captain Planet Foundation (CPF) was founded in 1991 by Ted Turner. The mission of CPF is to support hands-on, environmental projects for children and youths in grades K-12. CPF’s objective is to encourage innovative endeavors that empower today’s children to be individual and collective environmental stewards. CPF is committed to making a global impact with a history of over 2,000 projects throughout the United States and around the world. For more information, call 404-522-4270 or visit www.captainplanetfdn.org.

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More information can be found online at http://captainplanetfoundation.org/

Captain Planet Foundation     Farmer D     ira blumenthal     laura turner seydel     school gardens