Tag: westfield

Crossroads School

Westfield

The Garden is All Planted

The flowers and plants are all in!

image of raised garden bed with small green plant starts, surrounded in wire tomato cages.
image of raised garden bed with small green plant starts, surrounded in wire tomato cages.
image of raised garden bed with small green plant starts.
image of raised garden bed with small green plant starts, surrounded in wire tomato cages.
another image of raised garden bed with small green plant starts, surrounded in wire tomato cages.
small flower plants in a raised plant bed
image of newly planted garden at Crossroads school

Crossroads School

Westfield

Planting Day!!!

Students at Crossroads getting ready to plant the garden.

Image of teacher and female student holding several plant starters in their hands
student holding several flower plant starters, reading to be planted.
image of student holding two hanging flower pots

Crossroads School

Westfield

Cleaning Out the Gardens Before Planting

Preschool students weeding the garden beds so we can begin planting

image of teacher helping student remove weeds from the ground surrounding the raised garden beds.
Image of teacher and student planting seeds in the raised garden bed.

Crossroads School

Westfield

Mid-July Garden Photos

It’s mid-July, and the garden is coming along well!!

image of several thriving plants and flowers in pots and raised garden beds inside the Crossroads garden
close up photo of bright bushy basil plant inside a black pot
Image of thriving cucumber and tomato plants and several flowers inside the Crossroads garden
photo of green pepper plant and purple flowers in wooden raised garden bed
photo of Crossroads school garden that includes thriving marigolds and bright pink, white and purple flowers

Crossroads School

Westfield

First Harvest

First vegetable harvest of peppers, zucchini, and wax beans.

Photo of long green pepper growing on a plant
photo of three large zucchini and small green pepper on top of a wooden desk.
image of freshly harvested wax beans on a paper towel inside a woven brown wicker basket

Crossroads School

Westfield

Beginning of June Progress

Plants are continuing to grow!!

image of young plants supported by wire tomato cages in wooden raised garden
image of growing plants in pots and raised wooden garden bed
image of plants and flowers in pots and raised garden bed
wide photo of the Crossroads outdoor garden
image of growing plants surrounded the fence of the garden
sunflowers and lettuce plants growing in pots inside the crossroads garden
image of raised garden beds in the Crossroads garden with the school playground in the background

Crossroads School

Westfield

Repotting Cucumber Seeds/Grow Lights

Students at Crossroads repotted cucumber seeds that were sprouted using the ZipGrow Hydroponic garden that we received a few years ago from the County STEM grant.

Image of collection of cucumber seedlings in small biodegradable fiber pots spread out on a large wooden table.
Overhead photo of young cucumber seedlings in biodegradable fiber pots and square plastic pots

Westlake School

Westfield

Growing with Purpose: Supporting Our Community One Herb at a Time

Our students have continued to work weekly during their science period to care for our indoor greenhouse. They have planted herbs, which we have proudly sold throughout the school, building both responsibility and real-world vocational skills.

As our plants continue to grow, we are excited to share our harvest by delivering fresh herbs to the Cranford Food Pantry in June. Looking ahead, we are especially excited to expand our efforts into the community by transplanting our indoor plants into the school’s outdoor garden, where they will have the space and environment to truly thrive and reach their full growth potential.

Westlake school student opening a bag of garden soil
Screenshot

Westlake School

Westfield

Greenhouse Effect

We are excited to share that our students of Westlake School obtained an indoor greenhouse with grow lights through the Kids Dig In grant, a meaningful opportunity that will transform learning for our students with Autism. This grant has allowed us to bring year-round gardening directly into our classroom, creating a structured, sensory-friendly environment where students can explore plant growth, responsibility, and vocational skills regardless of weather or season. For many of our learners, especially those who thrive on routine and predictable systems, having a consistent indoor growing space provides stability while still offering hands-on, engaging experiences.

The indoor greenhouse is more than just shelves and lights; it is a dynamic teaching tool. Students will participate in planting seeds, watering, monitoring growth, and harvesting produce, all while following individualized visual schedules and task analyses. The grow lights allow us to simulate natural sunlight, ensuring plants thrive even during colder months, which means our vocational training does not pause. Students practice fine motor skills while handling soil and seeds, build functional math skills when measuring water or counting seedlings, and strengthen communication by requesting materials or commenting on plant growth using AAC devices.

This greenhouse also supports social-emotional development. Gardening is naturally regulating and calming, offering sensory input through touch, smell, and visual observation. Students experience the pride that comes from nurturing a living thing and seeing tangible results from their work. The structure of daily plant care routines reinforces independence, responsibility, and work-readiness behaviors such as completing tasks, checking off schedules, and working collaboratively with peers.

Most importantly, the Kids Dig In grant affirms what we already know — our students are capable of meaningful, authentic work when given the right supports. The indoor greenhouse will serve as a foundation for expanding our vocational programming, potentially supplying plants for our school community or future garden center initiatives. It represents growth not only for our plants, but for our students as learners, workers, and valued members of our community.

Westlake School

Westfield

Plant, Pick, Share: Students Bringing Joy from the Garden

Today our students experienced the full joy of learning from the garden! With care and excitement, they picked fresh flowers and fragrant basil that they helped grow. This activity gave them the opportunity to practice responsibility, patience, and teamwork while connecting their hard work to a meaningful purpose.

The flowers were carefully gathered to be shared with a local nursing home, spreading smiles and kindness to members of our community. The basil was harvested to be used in our cooking activity, where students created delicious mozzarella, tomato, and basil appetizers. Seeing the garden turn into something that could be given and enjoyed made the experience even more powerful.

Through this hands-on activity, students practiced important life skills such as following directions, handling materials gently, identifying plants, and understanding where food comes from. They also strengthened communication skills by making choices, labeling items, and working together toward a shared goal.

This was a beautiful example of how our garden supports independence, confidence, and community connection. From planting to picking to sharing, our students truly showed that small actions can grow into something meaningful.