By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

When Principal Cheryl Turpin suggested that a greenhouse be built as an extended classroom for Stevens Brook Elementary School, she thought it would take a “little time” to raise money for the project.

It took longer than expected — nine years.

“I just wanted to be alive to see this project done,” joked Turpin as she led youngsters representing each class at the school to the greenhouse site for a photo. “When you are raising money at $500 at a time, that takes a long time. We’ve had many events to raise money and we’ve had a few grants (the biggest being $1,500 Berlin City Auto), but they were small. We haven’t had huge chunks, so it’s been in small increments. We’ve raised $35,000.”

Originally, the school considered a 20-by-30 greenhouse, but costs pushed the group to scale back to 16-by-24, which carried a price-tag of $20,995. Site work came in at $10,200, and there will still be some electrical and plumbing work. Turpin said the goal is to include raised beds and buy various supplies like pots, tools and soil.

“On a yearly basis, there will be fundraising and some money will come from what the staff does — ex. wearing jeans on Friday, they pay $1 to do it. We’ll take that money and divide it in thirds — a third to high school seniors scholarship, a third to Writing Stars program, and a third to the greenhouse,” Turpin noted.

The site was recently prepped, a concrete frost wall poured and stones dumped for the flooring by R. Rolfe Corporation. Loam and seeding around the greenhouse perimeter will be completed in the spring.

Meanwhile, the greenhouse kit from Greenhouse Mega Store Clearinghouse in Illinois will be shipped, and a volunteer group of parents and community members will be asked to join the construction of the long-awaited structure.

“I didn’t think it would take this long. It’s going to be a community build. We’re going to be seeking volunteers. It’s a kit. Andy’s (Madura, director of Maintenance for SAD 61) folks will help us, but I will also need parents. It shouldn’t take long to put it up. It will depend upon how many people come. We could get it done in two weeks. It’s designed that a dad can help and you don’t need to be a carpenter. We bought it from a company that builds it, takes it apart, making sure every piece that you need is there before they ship it,” Turpin said.

The greenhouse will indeed be an extended classroom for all levels at SBES.

“It’s a great opportunity for kids to learn. We want to teach kids how to grow vegetables, promote a lifestyle of health eating and growing your own vegetables, and show them the science of how a plant grows and what a plant needs,” Turpin said. “We’ll use what is raised right in our school.”

Turpin added, “The greenhouse will function as an outdoor classroom where students will engage in hands-on, project-based learning. Students in grades K-5 would learn basic horticulture, as well as the concepts of solar power and its use to provide heat and cooling for the greenhouse. The greenhouse will be a catalyst to teach environmental stewardship and concepts related to global warming, recycling, composting, and the benefits of organic gardening. Through these learning experiences, students will also develop an understanding of the importance of being able to provide food from seed to soil and ultimately achieve the life-long skill of being able to provide food for oneself.”

And, the greenhouse will also touch the community. Excess vegetables will be donated to the food pantry, while SBES will also start a steward program, where families can tend the greenhouse during summer months and benefit from items harvested.

A “celebration” of the greenhouse’s opening will be held (date to be determined), and Turpin welcomes all those who helped raise funds for the project, as well as the community.