GROW Team:  It’s not just for outdoors anymore!
The GROW Team’s primary goal is to create and maintain useful and attractive outdoor classrooms that can be used to enhance every child’s learning experiences.  As a secondary goal, we aim to create stimulating indoor environments through the use of colorful murals.
 
Did you know?
•    The National Research Council has urged that, "students at every grade level should be involved with gardening projects… The ecological and agricultural importance of plants should be a major point of emphasis."
•    NASA scientists have discovered that the presence of plants stimulate learning because of their ability to increase oxygen and negative ions in the air and remove pollutants.
•    Over 80% of the information our brain receives is visual, so light and color are important attributes that affect how the brain learns.
 

  GROW Team projects are specifically designed to incorporate the Fairfax County Public School curriculum and to support the Standard of Learning requirements.  And brain-based learning research shows us that the brain learns through the senses; so what is seen, felt, heard, and even smelled can have surprising effects.  GROW Team projects seek to capitalize on the brain’s ability to learn through the senses by creating sensory learning opportunities outdoors and in.

Feel the warmth of the sun.  Touch the smooth and prickly leaves of the holly bush.
Hear the birds sing.  Listen to the crackling of dried leaves under your feet.
Smell and Taste the herbs in our garden.  See our colorful murals.
Watch the caterpillars as they prepare to become butterflies.

 The GROW Team is responsible for a number of projects you’ll see around the school.  When possible, we work with other groups within the community, such as the Boy Scouts, Civic Associations, and High School clubs to complete projects.  Click here to see pictures of some of our projects. 

This year we plan to complete several garden improvement and indoor painting projects.  We are also working to gain certification by the National Wildlife Federation and have already become members of the Arbor Day Foundation.
 

The National Wildlife Federation inspires Americans to protect wildlife for our children's future.  We believe education is the key to creating a world where wildlife thrives. It teaches people how to protect wildlife and brings them together for outdoor adventures to experience the thrill of interacting with the natural world.  Click here to find out more about the Value of Outdoor Play.

The Arbor Day Foundation advocates the planting and maintenance of trees because of the many benefits they provide to our communities and our world.  Click here to find out more about the value of trees. 

We Need Volunteer Support!

The GROW Team is staffed by caring and involved Ravensworth parents.  We aren’t looking for master landscapers – we’re looking for parents who want to have some fun getting their hands dirty.  We work hard to avoid asking for tremendous commitments of anyone’s time.  We’re all busy.  We live by the idea that many hands make light work.  We welcome everyone to join in our scheduled activities, but we also benefit from the benevolence of any busy parent who takes five minutes to pull weeds out of the garden by the front entrance when they pick up their kids from school or by the SACC entrance when they take time to let their kids enjoy the playground, or in the butterfly garden as they walk back to the parking lot after a Saturday soccer game.  Five minutes of effort from 20 parents equals at least an hour’s worth of weeding by a dedicated GROW volunteer.  Every little bit of effort makes a big difference!   Click here to find out more about poisonous plants you may encounter while helping with Grow Team projects outside.

We will send e-mails to our volunteers and put notices in PTA publications in advance of all scheduled workdays, which are always scheduled on Saturdays, from 9:00 am until we collapse.  If it rains, we’ll meet the next day (on Sunday).  If it rains again, we’ll reschedule.

Children are always warmly welcomed at all our projects and in our gardens – so bring the family!  This is a great way for your 6th grader to complete those required community service hours!

Become a GROW Room Parent -- it’s easy!  Find one grade-appropriate outdoor activity for your child’s class to do in the late spring.  It does not have to be complicated – just fun -- and you will have help.  We’ll meet a couple of times to get organized, plan activities and fill out a simple form.  We can provide curriculum ideas or you can do your own – it’s up to you and your child’s teacher. 

If you would like to volunteer for any of our projects or to be a GROW Room Parent, please contact Kate Yates at growteam@ravensworthpta.org.

We Take Donations!

Click here for more information about our wish list and how to donate through Ravensworth's Donation Station.  If you have items to donate please contact Kate Yates at growteam@ravensworthpta.org.

We hope to see you outside!

Alone we can do so little;
Together we can do so much.
                                                       —Helen Keller    

Just a few of our garden critters!