Before the actual day of planting the freshmen classes were divided into different groups to design their own space. They got to decide the type of plant and where it would go in their space.Afterwards, it was forwarded to Principal Novacek to review and pick his favorite design. After the design was finalized, the classes were divided once again in different groups: project management, budget, ordering, tools and planting.
This project wasn’t just a fun thing to do to get the students’ minds off of school, but it was also planned out with their science and math teachers to learn about budgeting, scale drawing, native plants, landscaping and plant needs. Students were also advised to obtain a leadership role in their group, instructing and demonstrating how to plant the various plants.
“We just wanted to set the tone for the class,” Mrs. Carrico-Ahart said. “This was a great first big project because the class is a little bit less traditional in that, like students are often put in charge of their learning and we are trying to get them out of the classroom and give them meaningful work and meaningful audiences.”
The first planting day was Oct. 8. Each group received a planting plan from their teacher and out the door they went. Divided into two groups, the first group went with Mrs. Carrico-Ahart to get plants and tools, and the second group went with Mr. Heaton to get the mulch. Afterwards, everyone came together at the Olathe West High School sign to begin planting with their designated groups.
Each group went to their assigned spot, received their assigned plants and got all the tools they needed. First, they dug holes in the ground to make space for the plants. For some students this part wasn’t either fun or their favorite. Afterwards, they picked up the plants and had to shake the roots to prevent them from continuing to circle or potentially girdle, which can lead to a sudden death of the plant. Some students didn’t know this until they got to do it themselves.
“I saw a kid shake out the roots and I thought he was wasting dirt, but Mrs. Carrico-Ahart was like no and I didn’t know that,” freshman Peyton Fulks said.
After shaking out the roots it was finally time to put the plants in the holes students made at the beginning of day one. After placing the plants in the holes, students had to cover the bottom of the plants with mulch. They ended day one with placing the rest of the mulch behind the sign and bringing everything back inside. After the first day many students thought the sign already looked better.
“I think it looks good and I think it will give the sign a new face,” freshman Maddie Lynch said.
Starting day two right where students left off, they finished planting the rest of the plants and covering them with mulch. The freshmen finished day two with a group photo around the sign and the new plants. But the project isn’t finished yet: students will go back during the spring to check on the plants and flowers to see if they need to be replaced and if they have sprouted or not.
“I hope the next freshmen come in and maybe put more plants that died and add more colors to the sign,” freshman Maddie Lynch said.
