This winter, Alhambra Unified School District held a Ribbon cutting ceremony for a new garden installed at Mark Keppel High School. This garden is intended for the use of both special education and general population students and was made possible through a partnership with California State University Los Angeles with a grant in the amount of $2,000. Parents, students, Board Members and community residents gathered at the newly flourished garden where Principal John Scanlan acknowledged the partners from CSULA for their dedication to this project. AUSD recognized Professor Juily Phun and students enrolled in Asian American Studies – Food Justice, the Body and Environment, Asian American History, CSULA American Society of Civil Engineers, student chapter of Society of Women Engineers, the Society of Hispanic Engineering and Social Science students, and an Asian American Studies. Other contributors included Mark Keppel High School PTSA, Orchard Supply Hardware, Ganahl’s Lumber, and the AUSD Facilities Department.
After the ribbon was cut, all in attendance were invited to explore the garden and socialize with the guests from CSULA. When asked about what the garden means to MKHS, Superintendent Dr. Laura Tellez-Gagliano, Superintendent of AUSD stated, “This garden will provide learning opportunities for our special education and general education student population at MKHS. The garden will provide the opportunity for students to acquire hands on learning about growing, nurturing, and caring for plants. This transfers later in life by acquiring skills such as patience, responsibility, nurturance, and a self of pride and accomplishment when plants grow and thrive.”