Description

On September 11th and 12th, 2011, the teachers, students, parents, and local supporters of the New York French American Charter School (NYFACS) will begin working together to plant “seeds of change” in our newly constructed educational urban rooftop garden, as well as in each other's hearts and minds, in remembrance of those who lost their lives on 9/11 and in honor of those who have risked their lives during the recovery efforts over the past decade.On September 11th and 12th, 2011, NYFACS farm managers, all of whom are young people, will facilitate workshops involving all 200 students, teachers, parents, and community supporters to discuss the historical significance of 9/11 and the importance of remembering the courage of those who risked and, in many cases, lost their lives on that tragic day and in its aftermath. As part of these workshops, we will also discuss the importance of cross-cultural communication and partnerships, diversity, solidarity, and community to successfully create a positive change in our world. Each of these day will culminate with afternoons of service during which all participants (an estimated 350 people) will rotate throughout the school’s rooftop and lay the foundation for the new urban garden. We will set up compost bins, so that we can recycle food waste throughout the year and create our own soil. We will also set up a water catchment system to collect water for our plants. Finally, we will build 40 raised beds, which we will fill with soil and plant our first seedlings, as well as an out-door classroom to go with it. This 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance will not only instill the story and the life lessons of 9/11 in the memories of our young people and their families, but will also plant seeds of change in their hearts and minds that will immediately empower them to begin harvesting their own visions for the development of their own communities. Ultimately, our garden will be a symbol of how people of all ages, cultures, and (most importantly for our bilingual program) linguistic backgrounds can come together to create a healthier, more sustainable world.

http://sept11day.challenge.gov/submissions/3914-grow-to-remember