05/17/2026
Happy moments for kiddos this week brought to us by access to nature.
Preschoolers in have been planting seasonal seeds and seedlings, harvesting carrots and tree collards, spreading compost and worm castings, and making art for their outdoor learning space.
In TK-5TH grade students at Russo McEntee Academy have been VERY busy: planting seasonal seeds and seedlings, creating aromatic bouquets, spreading compost and worm castings, watering plants, taste testing sunflower and pumpkin seeds, and working on a wildlife pond build. There was even a field trip to Hidden Villa!
Also in administration, teachers, staff and volunteers cane together to plant out 8 raised garden beds in the beautiful new outdoor learning space and community garden at Ocala Middle School STEAM! We planted tomatoes, cucumber, summer squash, winter squash, bush beans, watermelon, cantaloupe, sweet corn, chives, basil, cilantro, sunflowers, alyssum, California native wildflowers, salvia and rosemary.
Incredible how many moments of peace, joy, exploration, surpise, learning, practice and play can happen in one week when children are able to freely connect with nature .
