Preschool gives its kids a place where they can really take root

By Leslie Moriarty

Herald Writer

SNOHOMISH — Sometimes parents can make a difference. Just ask Trisha Lowery.

Lowery is the family services worker for the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program at Central Elementary School in Snohomish, 221 Union St.

The program is a state-funded early start preschool for low-income families. It averages about 57 students in three classes held in two portable classrooms, with two morning and one afternoon class.

Lowery said a parent advisory group came up with the idea of adding a garden and other landscaping to the area surrounding the portables.

"It was really a mess," she said. "All we had was some barked area behind the portables. And in front, it was just dirt, mud and puddles."

So with the help of some of the school staff, the parents spent two recent Saturdays creating eight raised beds for planting flowers and vegetables. They created and stained lattice fences to surround the beds.

A concrete patio was poured and two picnic tables were built. Shrubs and trees were planted .

Additionally, sod was placed in front of the portables to replace mud puddles.

The gardens will be planted at the beginning of the next school year, Lowery said.

"We have put in some herbs, and the teachers plan to plant some pumpkin seeds this summer so the kids will have pumpkins in the fall.

"But for the most part, these gardens will be planned and planted by the students."

Some of the raised beds will be shared with other kindergarten, first- and second-grade students at the school, she added.

While some of the materials were donated, others were given at a discounted price. The school received a grant from the Snohomish Garden Club. No funding came from the school district.

More than a dozen parents gave time to the project and helped organize the delivery of topsoil, sod and cement.

"It’s made such a difference in how our area looks. And next year, when the students return, they’ll really be able to enjoy planting gardens," Lowery said.

You can call Herald Writer Leslie Moriarty at 425-339-3436

or send e-mail to moriarty@heraldnet.com.