Saturday, April 13, 2013

McKinley School Garden is the Best Kind of Green




Posted: 13 Apr 2013 09:54 AM PDT

A Trip to the Octopus' Garden

By Karen Kenyon It’s a sunny day and McKinley Elementary School has a little paradise in its back lot. No Adam and Eve -- but trees and plants that bring knowledge of the earth and its abundance. And organic, as well! Here is a garden with edible plants and seasonal flowers (lettuce, carrots, radishes, artichokes, fava beans -- daisies, sweet peas, California poppies – and even a lemon tree with gorgeous lemons) all surrounded by a sea-themed mural created from broken tiles, pottery, and mirrors. Words that define the International Baccelaureate School’s values weave their way into the patterns of the mural --Respect, Tolerance, Creativity, Imagination, Curiosity.... This area, called “The Octopus’ Garden” is watched over by a large mosaic octopus whose tentacles seem to reach out to enclose visitors with a kindly hug as they enter this magical space.

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