Spring has sprung in Sachem and it’s evident in many of the district’s elementary schools where classrooms have started their own Tower Gardens. Tower Gardens are aeroponic gardening systems that allow students to grow a variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs indoors, without any dirt.

Some of the Sachem elementary schools, including Nokomis and Chippewa, brought these vertical gardens into the classroom to engage students in hands-on STEM activities. Students first helped assemble the Tower Gardens and its necessary parts. They added nutrients to the water at the tower’s base, tested its pH, planted a variety of seeds and finally added the tower’s lights to help their plants grow.

Each of the Tower Gardens will produce arugula, basil, bibb lettuce, gourmet lettuce, kale and rainbow chard. Students will have the opportunity to harvest their crops in the classroom and learn the meaning behind “tower to table.” The hands-on activity cultivated learners who are excited to grow their knowledge about science and gardening.

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Date Added: 3/28/2023

Mrs. DeJesus, Mrs. Walendowski and Mrs. Andersen’s first grade classes at Chippewa Elementary School collaborated to learn penguin and polar bear facts. The classes partnered with the Sachem Public Library to create a “Did You Know” green screen video to present all that they learned. Students were excited to share their knowledge in a new, interactive way.

Date Added: 3/21/2023

Sparky, the beloved New York Islanders mascot, visited Chippewa Elementary School on March 8 to teach students about teamwork and healthy lifestyle choices. Spirits were high as students filled the gymnasium to welcome Sparky and team representatives.

Students first participated in a series of warm-up activities and exercises led by Sparky. Through an interactive quiz, they learned about making healthy choices in and out of school. A student and teacher were then chosen from the crowd to dress in goalie equipment. The team that worked best together to get the equipment on the fastest was named the winner of the activity, showing the crowd how “teamwork makes the dream work.”

Date Added: 3/13/2023