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.. itciJßv** 11 |k ■ .;..\ |l t Wat pWJffiOfiyl '<ds§aL BB9hfiK7l| Roberta Paolo shares her passion for gardening at Loveland (Ohio) Primary and Elementary Schools. At Loveland Primary and Elementary Schools in Loveland, Ohio (pop. 11,677), five dozen volunteers pitch in year-round with Granny's Garden School, which began as one grandma's project to share her passion for gardening and has blossomed into a community treasure. "My grandkids grew up in my garden and I saw the power of having flowers to pick,’” says Roberta Paolo, 59. In 2002, Paolo asked permission to perk up her grandchildren's schoolyard with some perennials. The enthusi asm of the kids who helped her dig and plant inspired teachers to create four classroom gardens the first year. Now, each spring, students in first through fourth grades plant 55 individual classroom gardens, each 10 by 20 feet, from which they pick fresh flowers to accompany meals for the homebound and vegetables and herbs for classroom salads and soups. In May, students invite the town to a garden party where they sell plants and crafts and show off their blooming handiwork. “This is such a worthwhile use of my time," says Jane Gonzales, mother of Andrew, 9, and Alex, 12, who helps tend three class room gardens. "It s marvelous to see the kids so enthused. They'll eat fresh peas and broc coli right out of the garden." Gonzales was so impressed by the health and educational benefits that children reap from the gardens that she spearheaded the creation of a nature trail in 2004 through woods behind the school. "This is a way to be involved in my kids’ education and to give back to the community.” American Profile • Dads, too! Traditionally, mothers are the chief cupcake bakers and classroom helpers but, at Denham Oaks Elementary School in Lutz, Fla. (pop. 17,081), fathers' efforts are quite visible in an 80-foot-long covered walkway where children are sheltered from rain and sun while they wait for rides home. "I was looking for a way for the dads to get more involved with their kids at school," says Ricky Spencer, 4(), who organized the Dragon Dads Club seven years ago. “All of us work, so well do things at night or on a Saturday morning.'' The group of 40 fathers raised 516,000, mainly from a golf tournament, to build the alu minum walkway. Teachers e-mail them requests such as a bookshelf that needs assembling. The dads weeded the school courtyard and built a 12-foot-by-16-foot movie screen so they can host "movie nights under the stars” on the school grounds. Families bring lawn chairs (Continued on page 13) Devoted dads built an 80-foot covered walkway at Denham Oaks Elementary School in Lutz, Fla. - ■ v y " g§ - mSBBBmm, , \ §■ Vjr Page 11 skissi® k B On DVD August 15th