ELY – Washington Elementary teachers continued facilitating a pollinator garden this spring despite the distance learning protocols put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Although we were apart, we grew as learners together,” said third-grade teacher Kaley Hotaling. “We all look forward to the day when we can be together in our building once more.”
This spring, students started growing flowers at home, and then came to school with their families late last week to transplant the flowers into the garden in front of the school with the help of fourth-grade teacher Nancy Preblich.
“This activity helped to symbolize unity at Washington Elementary,” Preblich said, “to promote community, learn about plant life, and help to create pollinator habitats.”
Pollinators such as bees, wasps, butterflies, beetles, hummingbirds, and even bats are critical to the world’s food production.
“According to scientists, one out of every three bites of food you eat is there because of pollinators,” Hotaling said. “Nearly 75 percent of the world’s crops require pollination.  That means it is important to conserve and establish pollinators’ habitats.”