Colonial School District partners with Penn Farm
High school students at Colonial School District’s William Penn High School will be able to learn in a real-world context thanks to a new partnership with Penn Farm.
Delaware Greenways is managing and operating the farm as a center for sustainable urban agriculture. The Trustees of New Castle Common recently began work to make their historic Penn Farm located within the City of New Castle -- known to many as the “Quigley Farm” -- a more accessible and productive asset to the community and contracted with the non-profit Delaware Greenways.
The media is invited to learn more about the program at the Penn Farm Opening and Partnership Announcement at the farm, located adjacent to the high school on Del. 273. Gov. Jack Markell will join Sen. Dori Connor, Colonial Superintendent Dorothy Linn, Delaware Greenways Executive Director Mark Chura, Trustees of New Castle Common President Thomas Wilson and other speakers for the event at 2:30 p.m. Friday, July 8.
As approved by the Delaware Department of Education in Colonial’s Race to the Top plan, the following programs will play a major role in the revitalization of Penn Farm:
- Horticulture students can work directly with farmers and Delaware Greenways staff members to learn about growing crops, managing the land, and studying AgriScience.
- Floriculture students can grow and sell cut flowers and vegetable plants, using William Penn’s own greenhouse and/or the property of Penn Farm. Students will be given a space in the produce stand to market and sell product.
- Business & marketing programs will assist Penn Farm with the management and marketing of the produce stand.
- Culinary arts program will use food from the Penn Farm and work with their “Healthy Living” coordinator on promoting healthy living styles with both our students and community members at the site.
- Graphic design program will develop marketing brochures, menus, event programs, etc.
- Ecology classes will use the outdoor classroom to study ecosystems & horticulture.
- Social Studies classes will study the history of historic New Castle, knowing that this farm has been around since the establishment of this city.
The Penn Farm project has the potential to involve more than 400 students in its first year. While many students will participate through their Career & Technical Education pathways, additional students will participate through health education and science classes.
The mission of the Penn Farm is to improve the health and wellness of Delawareans through the sale, production, and promotion of our state’s finest produce and agricultural products.
Brian Erskine, supervisor of school reform, will represent the Colonial School District on the Penn Farm Advisory Council. He will be the key facilitator to involve William Penn students in the various opportunities that Penn Farm will offer. Mark Chura, Delaware Greenways executive director, will become an advisory member of the Colonial CTE Advisory Board.
The Penn Farm Partnership eventually will extend to grade K – 8 students through field trips aligned with classroom studies, all while promoting the courses of study at WPHS and the opportunities that await them at the ninth grade.
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Delaware's Department of Education is committed to promoting the highest quality education
for every Delaware student by providing visionary leadership and superior service.
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Contact Info.
Alison Kepner Delaware Department of Education 401 Federal Street, Suite #2 Dover, Delaware 19901 Phone: (302) 735-4035 Fax: (302) 739-4654 Email: akepner@doe.k12.de.us |
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