| Purpose of the Learning GardenThe John Muir | | | | possible without the support in terms of time |
| Learning Garden is designed to give San | | | | and money from a variety of neighborhood |
| Francisco Schools students a change to take | | | | partners. San Francisco area businesses, |
| learning further outside of the classroom. | | | | organizations, and volunteer groups have all |
| The Garden builds on the fundamental | | | | played a role in establishing the Learning |
| curriculum concerns of the elementary school | | | | Garden. Located in Daniel E. Koshland |
| and provides an opportunity for students to | | | | Park, the Learning Garden has benefited from |
| gain real life experience that complements | | | | the dedication of two part-time garden |
| their academic studies. San Francisco | | | | mentors provided by the Hayes Valley |
| school students are able to integrate | | | | Neighborhoods Parks Group. These two women, |
| classroom literacy, mathematics, science, | | | | Rebecca and Aubrey, have become part of the |
| history, and language arts instruction | | | | local community as they organize activities |
| through their participation in activities in | | | | that raise local awareness about the |
| the Learning Garden.The Learning Garden | | | | environment.Further assistance has come from |
| reaches out to the community in providing | | | | the San Francisco League of Urban Gardeners, |
| outreach services for parents, neighbors, and | | | | the Center for Ecoliteracy, the Recreation |
| interested volunteers. Mentor gardeners | | | | and Park Department, the Buddhist Peace |
| work with teachers and students to design | | | | Fellowship, and the San Francisco Zen Center. |
| educational opportunities. One of the | | | | All of these organizations have devoted |
| interesting projects going on now is the | | | | time and money to helping the John Muir |
| sustainable composting program that takes | | | | Learning Garden become an environmental |
| organic waste from San Francisco school | | | | center for the San Francisco community, |
| lunches and uses it for fertilizing garden | | | | especially the children that attend John Muir |
| projects instead of filling landfills. This | | | | Elementary School. In particular, the John |
| is just one of many projects that combine | | | | Muir Learning Garden is indebted to the |
| garden training with practical real world | | | | Buddhist Peace Fellowship, which donated the |
| environmental concerns. The events | | | | initial funds to start the Learning Garden |
| organized in the park help students and the | | | | and remains an active community partner with |
| community learn about how to protect the | | | | John Muir Elementary School.A Look at John |
| local environment while studying nature in an | | | | Muir Elementary SchoolJohn Muir Elementary |
| urban setting.Partners of the Learning | | | | School has a unique place within the San |
| GardenThe Learning Garden would not be | | | | Francisco Public School System. |