From Staff Reports
Staff Writer
CLAREMORE —
Mother’s Day and spring planting are fast approaching and the students and faculty at Roosa Elementary School have just the gift for you to give to your mother, wife, or grandmother — or for yourself to complete those home flowerbeds.
The first Roosa Plant Sale will be held Friday, May 7 — the Friday before Mother’s Day — from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in front of the school located at 2100 North Sioux. Students will sell a variety of flowers and herbs. The proceeds from the sale will help fund the Roosa Outdoor Science Lab as well as a yearly environmental “green” project voted on by the entire student body.
The plant sale is a way to raise funds, but it is also intended to give students the opportunity to be entrepreneurs.
“The students get experience in earning money, spending money, and selling product,” said Mary Legan, second grade teacher.
Students learn about horticulture, planting and other science-related projects. Each grade level is responsible for a different part of the plant sale. Second graders will hold the signs that help promote the plant sale, third graders will assist customers with their purchases, and fourth graders will be the cashiers.
“Every year as the student’s skills increase their job responsibility increases. And every child from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade helps with the gardening in the Roosa Outdoor Science Lab. It’s a true school-wide effort,” Legan said.
In addition to the students’ work, parents and grandparents also help in the Science Lab. Currently volunteers are constructing a green house — the latest addition to the Science Lab.
Principal Glen Abshere says the volunteer effort and support of the upcoming plant sale are important to the students and faculty at Roosa.
“If not for the help of our volunteers and the success of our plant sale, we will be limited in funds to continue this amazing project that is available to our students.”
Legan added, “The plant sale is a great learning experience for the students, and the continuation of a hands-on learning environment is key to our science curriculum.”
Roosa Elementary students and faculty are hoping the plant sale will become an annual community event.
