BMPRSS courtyard grows new Story Walk

A bee stopped at a late season flowering Hosta to grab a drink, as a crowd of children and their parents buzzed around it, all who were there to read a book as part of the new Bruno M. Ponterio Ridge Street School Story Walk. 

On the evening of Oct. 22, families were invited into the school’s courtyard for a special event, the first-ever Story Walk hosted by the school.

The concept was fully supported by the PTA who donated funds for the purchase of 16 enclosed podiums that were installed in the courtyard during the summer. The podiums create an opportunity to display a book in which guests could then go from one to the other while reading a special story and enjoying the beautiful space.

For the inaugural event, the book “What Grew in Larry’s Garden,” by Canadian author Laura Alary was selected. The book tells the story of retired teacher, Larry, who is joined by his young neighbor Grace and together they grow a special garden, which ultimately blooms beyond his small yard.

The installation was the suggestion of teachers Kathy Aquino and Anna Fagan who have diligently helped transform the courtyard space into a garden oasis for both flowers and vegetables and helped it to become an extension of the school’s classrooms.

“Our job this summer was finding the book,” Ms. Aquino said. “We found something that checked all the boxes.”

Ms. Aquino had reached out to the author to see if she could be there in person for the event. While her schedule did not permit an in-person visit, she did write a letter to the BMPRSS students.

“First, I want to tell you how excited I am that my book “What Grew in Larry’s Garden” is going to be part of a Story Walk at your school,” the author wrote. “What a perfect space to enjoy a story about a garden that brings so much happiness to a group of students and their neighborhood.”

“I hope you enjoy Larry’s story,” the author continued, adding that Larry is a real person, a retired teacher who grew a garden. “Maybe it will give you some ideas about what you could do to show appreciation and grow kindness in your own community.”

Ms. Aquino said that the book was perfect for the debut Story Walk, as it shares so many of the lessons she hopes students will take away from working in the school garden space.

“We picked a book that brings everything about the courtyard together,” she said.

Among the many lessons the teachers are trying to convey to students is how their work in this space connects to the world beyond the school, said Ms. Fagan.

“It’s about problem-based learning,” she said. “This is what this is, you start with a question and then do something,” she explained how students learned about Monarch butterflies, grew plants that would attract them to help the endangered species. In another lesson, students learned about pollination and what plants should be installed to attract bees.

“It was really cool,” said fourth grader Rebecca G. after she had finished reading the entire books as she walked throughout the space stopping at each podium.

“It talked about optimism,” fourth grader Ava B. said of what she enjoyed about the book.

“It’s just so nice to come to the school and see this,” said parent Marni Ford, who was there with her husband and two sons, Benjamin and Jacob.

Both Ms. Aquino and Ms. Fagan noted that the podiums could be used for other things besides books, such as displaying art too. For now, they are both considering what books might be installed in the future.

When one dad asked his daughter if she wanted to go and play with her friends who were there, the answer?

“No. I want to finish the book.”