GREENHOUSE ROCK!

Greenhouse manufacturer helps local school by donating a structure

JULY 1999 By Lisa Greenberg
Seven has turned out to be a lucky number for the students and faculty of Forrestdale School, Rumson, NJ. About seven years ago, a team of seventh grade students and teachers inquired about developing a science lab project that would include a greenhouse system to be used for experiments. The community's school board was receptive, but financial issues clouded the greenhouse vision. With no additional funding available in the budget, the school took its crusade to the community. They found their benefactor through the Rumson Education Foundation, which was originally created to fund technology projects for the district. Combined with support from friends, neighbors and local business, enough money was pooled for the greenhouse project.

Fortunately for the school, one of it's neighbors is Scott Thompson, Executive Vice President for X S SMITH, INC, greenhouse manufacturing company. Several of Thompson's children have been educated at the school, and he wanted to give back the best way he knew how. He and X S SMITH donated a structure for the students' use. Thompson made a donation of his time as well, spending countless hours preparing the site. He also invited donations from vendors that do business with X S SMITH. Thompson was overwhelmed by the support, saying "They almost unanimously offered materials and services as a donation. It was a combined effort. We may not have dollars that we can send every time someone asks, but we have the resources available."

Seven years later, the original structure is dwarfed by improvements that Thompson and X S SMITH have tacked on. The open-roof greenhouse is equipped with the latest technology, making it a "university-level research facility for the kids," according to Thompson. "Scott designed something bigger and better for us. We can fit all the students in [the greenhouse] at one time now. With the old house we had to show them in small groups," explains Kathi Cronin, curriculum coordinator for the Rumson board of education.

With the new facility in place, changes in curriculum were in order. Cronin enhanced the plant sciences program to include greenhouse experiments. The method by which fifth grade was being taught was revamped as well. Instead of having five instructors teaching all subjects, the school trained two of the instructors to become experts in botany and greenhouse operations. They teach the subject to the entire fifth grade class, and Cronin says both the teachers and students "absolutely love it."

While developing the new curriculum, Cronin visited other area schools that had a greenhouse program already in place. "They showed us what we can do with the curriculum," she explains. Meanwhile, the students enjoy the hands-on experience. Plans are already in the works for further improvement, including the donation of a weather station by Thompson and X S SMITH. "Next year should be amazing," Cronin says. As a tribute to those who were generous with time, materials and funding, the school will post a plaque emblazoned with each of the donor's names at the grand opening of the facility.

Projects such as the one at Forrestdale School promote learning by capturing the attention of students. "It's important because we're only as good as our youth," says Thompson. "If we can get them excited about what we do they may find some interest at an early age." Give 'em another seven years, and you never know what those kids can accomplish.