Faculty and parents celebrated children at P.S. 186 Castlewood School for their help in rededicating and restoring the Bellerose school’s 9/11 memorial garden.
They packed into the school’s auditorium to watch a slideshow presentation of the children’s accomplishments, which began with the project’s inception in May.
The student gardeners, ranging from kindergarteners to fifth graders, received certificates with their names and a congratulatory statement praising their problem solving skills and volunteer service on Tuesday, June 16,.
Student gardener Hannah Pineda was enthused over the school’s solidarity in the project.
“Younger students were often paired with older students,” she said. “We worked together, as one, because in unity there is strength.”
Children helped by picking up and raking leaves, pulling out shrubs and planting flowers in biodegradable pots made from newspapers.
“Our students wanted to update the garden with flowers to add to [the] color and beauty,” said Drashti Mehta, a fifth grader and student gardener. “With flowers that our Castlewood families donated, we learned how to prepare the soil, and plant and maintain a flower garden.”
Principal Dolores Troy-Quinn said that the project began with the question, “How do we make Castlewood a better place?”
“How fortunate we are to have such wonderful educators working with our children,” said Quinn. “Our students have learned so many life-skills.”
Parent Rumayla Bhalloo proudly looked on as her son, Ali, received his certificate.
“They did a survey, they went around and saw what needed to be done, a lot of problem solving went into that,” she said. “I’m glad he had a chance to be in it. It was a good opportunity for him.”
Fran Werkheiser, faculty member, said, “If you want something done, then write a letter.”
The children did just that.
As a result, Home Depot of Elmont donated supplies and manpower to help in the restoration of the garden.
The school hosted donation drives and fundraisers to finance the project. They included a “kid’s boutique” in which children could buy toys, with the profits going to the restoration.
The school also allowed students and parents to donate $1 to have their names written on the petals of construction paper flowers that lined the school’s halls.
The garden was originally created in 2002, after the World Trade Center attacks, but was left unmaintained. Poison ivy also began to grow in the garden, limiting access.
“Once beautiful evergreens were overgrown, and they covered many of the symbols of the original garden,” said student gardener Jonathan Louie. “We brainstormed and sketched ideas for improvement.”
The restoration began in May 2009 and was completed on June 15, 2009.
The new garden features nine circular stones and 11 rectangular ones, representing the 9/11 date. Red mulch, white rocks and a blue stump underneath the dedicatory plaque symbolized the American flag.
Fifth graders Nithya Vishwanathan and Drashti Mehta gave parents a tour of the garden.
The students pointed to where they had planted flowers like lilies and Johnny-jump-ups.
Vishwanathan said, “We are hoping they [flowers] will live forever.”
