Harborside Community Urban Garden Project

Bikes and Helmets (September-October)

In order to maintain the theme of eco-friendly decision making in all aspects of life, the project leaders decided that a classroom set of bicycles (helmets included) would be the best method of transportation for Juniors and Seniors from Harborside Academy to visit the elementary schools involved in the education piece of our project. Bids for a classroom set of Bicycles were placed at three cycleries located in Southeastern Wisconsin, and after a comparison of the pros and cons associated with each purchase decided to use a local cyclery. The use of bikes is progressive in our goal two fold; firstly it teaches both the upper classmen and elementary students about a transportation alternative that doesn't directly involve the burning of fossil fuels. Lastly, it demonstrates a healthy living activity that is as practical as it is enjoyable, while retaining the fact that riding a bike is a fantastic cardiovascular exercise.

The students of Harborside Academy have also been offered an extracurricular "Bike Club" in which new riders can learn basic skills and advanced riders can refine their knowledge of bicycles. The current members of the Bike Club have begun to create a comprehensive list of bicycle laws applicable to the Kenosha area, and have also been responsible for the development of a "Bike Ability Test". This test will be used to ensure that students interested in using the bikes to transport themselves from Harborside Academy to the local elementary schools, will be able to do so in an absolutely safe fashion that is in accordance with the most recent legislation regarding bicycles on the road. To compliment the work already done by the Bike Club, members have recently begun to create maps and directions to and from the elementary schools involved in our education piece; ensuring the maximum amount of time to be spent on educating the children.

There will also be the option for students who aren't comfortable with riding the bicycles to and from the elementary schools to walk, these students will be provided with a "Walk Ability Test" that will ensure students are familiar with the most up to date laws and regulations regarding pedestrian safety.

The Big Check (November)

Harborside was delighted to host representatives from Statefarm Insurance on November 10th for a Big Check Ceremony; the check was presented to Grant Devine to the sum of $69,997. Also present at the ceremony were the new mountain bikes purchased with the grant money, a great display of the new partnership between HCUG and Statefarm and a very brief example of the incredible work that will be accomplished by HCUG.

Youth Advisory Board representative Neil Jackson gave a short speech on what the goal of the Youth Advisory Board is, and more specifically why HCUG stuck out to the judges of the Youth Advisory Board; explaining that it was an "easy decision" for them to make. Followed by Neil's speech. Student representative for HCUG, Grant Devine gave a talk about his experience with applying for the grant and where he hoped the project would be going from that point forward.

Exhibition Night (December)

Happy holidays from HCUG! Myself and all of the individuals involved with the project thus far have set the New Year resolution to make this year monumental in combating obesity and particularly childhood obesity, and with the extended help of Statefarm we know that this resolution will be seen through to fruition.

Harborside Academy every year since it's creation has made a note of hosting an Exhibition Night, to put on display the hard work done by all the classes. HCUG was proud to have an entire tent dedicated to inform the parents and students about what we have done and where we hope to go in the near future. Student representative, Grant Devine and a particularly interested and hard-working junior Donald Love were also there to answer any questions prosed by the parents who attended the fifth annual Exhibition Night. Also available were bags of HCUG's freshly-picked lettuce available at the modest price of $5, and we are delighted to say that all bags that were available for purchase had been sold half-way through the night; a promising sign of events to come we believe.

New Opportunities (January)

This month we were pleased to be contacted by two organizations, both of which were interested in creating a partnership with HCUG in order to fight obesity on a more dynamic scale. Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (WCCC) is an organization based around engaging public, private, and community partners to develop, implement, and promote a statewide comprehensive approach to cancer control. The WCCC was interested in studying the correlation between cancer prevention through obesity prevention; to compliment that research they would also like to rewrite the KUSD health policy currently in place. The Hunger Prevention Council (HPC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing hunger and inadequate nutrition through service, education, communication, and cordination. The HPC offered us the incredible opportunity of supplying local food pantries with HCUG's organic, locally-grown produce. These new partners have given HCUG new opportunities to better educate our own community about healthy living and all the benefits associated with it, while at the same time allowing  us to give to those less fortunate than ourselves. We are very excited to see where these collaborations will take our effort in it's entirety, and thank all those who have recently expressed an interest in our urban garden and mission.

Becoming the Change (February)

Due to recent budget related issues Harborside Academy will be moving from it's current location, and relocating to Walter Reuther Central High School's current location; not too far away from it's current location. To marshall in this change of location, students at Harborside have been researching various different sources of renewable energies that could potentially be implemented at our new location. Not only has the matter been researched, but the students synthesized all they learned and created presentations; which they presented to the Facilities Director of KUSD. Last, but certainly not least located on-site at Harborside's new residence is a greenhouse; which will be an incredible asset to the community of Harborside and Kenosha.