At Stanley Mills Public School, learning takes root when grandparents and grandchildren gather to plant, water and grow together.
The school's Green Thumb Grandparents Club welcomes grandparents into the school each month to garden alongside students. Now in its third year, the initiative creates opportunities for family members to learn from one another while strengthening their connection to the school community.
For student Alina, the club is a chance to spend meaningful time with her grandfather and develop practical skills. "I love to learn from him and do lots of things, so now I'm technically a pro at it," she says, adding with a smile that she usually ends up dirty by the end. "We get to spend time with our grandparents, and I thank all of the grandparents for coming here," she adds, while giving her grandfather a hug.
Grandparents say they can see students carrying those lessons beyond the garden. One participant describes how his granddaughter now carefully waters a plant at his home, a change he connects to what she has learned through the program. Another says that watching his granddaughter plant seeds and water them brings the two of them closer together."Those who plant a garden, plant happiness", one grandfather says while standing beside his granddaughter.
The club also gives grandparents a meaningful role in school life. Some participants bring experience in farming and gardening, allowing them to share knowledge that might otherwise remain outside the classroom. Through that exchange, students learn how plants grow while grandparents see their experience valued and represented at school.
Vice Principal Mann is grateful for the commitment grandparents have shown to the club. "It was wonderful to see them come together, support one another, share experiences and build meaningful friendships," Vice Principal Mann said. "Their presence and involvement enrich our school community, and we are very grateful for the important role they play in strengthening our sense of belonging and connection in alignment with our board's Multi Year Strategic Plan".
The learning also extends into science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. As Stanley Mill's STEAM teacher-librarian, Mr. Bond helps connects the gardening club with classroom learning. "My job is to make the connection between the Grandparents Club and meaningful STEAM-related projects for our students", he said.
"Our Grade 4 students are building greenhouses from recycled materials and using Micro-Bit devices to monitor humidity and determine the optimal conditions for plant growth", he explains. Students also track temperature and compare how plants grow in direct and indirect sunlight.
The club grew from a vision Principal Rajan had long before joining Stanley Mills. "Grandparents play a large role in the lives of their grandchildren, and there is so much wisdom to be shared", says Rajan. She also recognizes Sandra Dutkiewicz, who led the club when it first began and coined the name Green Thumb Grandparents Club. Rajan says the initiative would not have been possible without the support of participating grandparents, students, and staff, and she looks forward to seeing the club continue to grow.
By bringing generations together around a shared garden, the Green Thumb Grandparents Club is cultivating more than plants. It is helping students develop new knowledge, giving family members a deeper connection to the school and creating memories that grow well beyond the garden beds.
Watch the highlight video to see the Green Thumb Grandparents Club in action.
