This year our youngest scholars at Bethune Early Child Development Center participated in the 2020 Great Lakes Apple Crunch. The program coincides with the National Farm to School Month where schools purchase (and crunching into) locally grown apples! Because of COVID, the Bethune students participated online during E-Learning. Bethune offered free apples to all their students to participate.
Bethune joined participants across Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan to celebrate National Farm to School Month! Last October over 1,815,331 students, children, teachers, and supporters participated across the mighty Midwest!
“Participating in the crunch was so much fun. We included two apples and an activity kit for each of our students. Our kits also contained an Apple Tasting Book, a copy of Apple Picking Day by Candice Ransom and materials to create an apple life cycle hat. Teachers hosted hands-on activities with Bethune students via Zoom class sessions. Parents and caretakers were encouraged to take pictures of their son or daughter while we all made a collective ‘crunch’,” said E. Glenn, Principal at Bethune.
“Many thanks are due. We would like to thank County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana, Sodexo Magic, Scholastic Books, and the Purdue Extension Nutrition Education Program for supporting our efforts by donating the apples and books for this activity. Thanks to our fantastic teachers and staff for planning the activities, prepping the bags, and distributing them to families. Also, thanks to our parents and family members who came to pick up the activity bags and who continually support our students as we learn and grow in a virtual classroom!”
Even during E-Learning, the Gary Schools district has found creative ways to engage and educate scholars through unique channels.