The Dell Rapids Elementary students raised money all week, May 5th-May 9th, for the school garden with a “Penny War”.  The teams were broken up by grades:  Kindergarten/K-Prep, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, and Staff.  Each group had a collection jar in the library.  All week long students could add coins and bills to whichever jar they chose.  The total amount of pennies in the jar were counted to determine the winner, however, silver coins and bills counted against the number of pennies in each jar.  As an example, 200 pennies in a jar with two quarters would result in a final total of 150.  The team that had the most “penny count” at the end of the week earned a root beer float party.

The Kindergarten/K-Prep classes won this year’s “Penny War”.  The entire elementary school raised $1,772 for the school garden without the matching funds from Modern Woodmen of America!

The Dell Rapids Elementary School will soon be getting a school garden.  School, community members, and friends from Ground Works have been meeting to plan a special place where children can be guided to build, plant, grow, care for, gather, and eat heathy foods.

There will be seven 10’x4’x2′ garden boxes built and placed in an area between the kindergarten and lower elementary wing on the school’s south side.  The garden boxes will be in place by the time school is let out for the summer.  Long term plans include adding landscaping to the area surrounding the garden beds, benches, picnic tables, and shrubs and perennials.

For those plans to become a reality, donations are needed from the community.  All funds and contributions gathered will be designated to aid in the completion of the garden plan.  Checks can be made out to Garden Works.

For more information, contact the school at 605-428-3192.