In the spirit of a Healthy Start and a Healthy Future, the CIS FirstSchool Garden Program was developed to cultivate student health and student success. The CIS FirstSchool Garden Program provides hands on, relevant and appropriate instruction for the acquisition of behaviors, which contribute, to a healthy lifestyle for students & families. The CIS FirstSchool Garden is a successful vehicle for teaching important 21st century ideas with a back to basics approach. The project’s objective is that the CIS FirstSchool Garden Program confronts obstacles such as obesity, ecology and sustainability. Our goal is cultivating a student’s success through mind, body, spirit and planet.
Utilizing a seed to saucepan approach, we support students in developing lifelong nutrition and fitness behaviors by bringing diet, nutrition and food preparation directly to students in the garden. Through hands on experience, they discover what it takes to get the food they eat to their plate. When working in the garden, students have an opportunity to get fresh air, sunshine and exercise in an outdoor setting. Taking care of themselves and their environment go hand in hand in the garden. Sustainability concepts permit children to see their role in the overall earth ecology and the direct effect it has at a local level. They are exposed to a variety of recycling efforts including water conservation, composting and vermicomposting.
The 10 CIS FirstSchool Gardens provide learning opportunities in all subject areas and are aligned with NC state curriculum standards. To date, more than 3000 Moore County’s elementary school students have direct exposure to the FirstSchool Garden Program. The CIS FirstSchool Garden was recognized by William Ross, Secretary for North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources… “as a model for North Carolina and is an outstanding example of how integrating environmental learning into the school curriculum can significantly improve students’ academic achievement, behavior and health”.
We receive major funding from BlueCross and BlueShield of North Carolina Foundation, Moore Regional Hospital Auxiliary, the Ronald McDonald Foundation, the Palmer Foundation and the United Way of Moore County. Our partners include Moore County Schools, FirstHealth of the Carolinas, Moore County Cooperative Extension and the Master Gardener Volunteers.
