Sacaton Elementary School District’s Legacy Community Orchard
Sacaton Elementary School District received the Arizona School Board Association Golden Bell Promise Program Award for their Legacy Community Orchard. This project began in 2017 and has been supported through Impact Aid and Tribal funds. Students have been involved every step of the way including the planting, maintaining, and harvesting of 144 fruit trees planted (orange, fig, grapefruit, tangelo, lemon, pomegranate, plum, and peach). In 2018, the district was recognized as the state winner for the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest for their student-created device that safely removes rodents from the orchard area. In 2019, the focus supported building sustainability in the orchard, therefore, an underground irrigation system was installed.
The Legacy Community Orchard Project extends learning opportunities throughout the year by developing conceptual understanding of mathematics and increases academic rigor and academic vocabulary across all grade levels. The Legacy Community Orchard Project was featured on channel 3 TV news station with Dave the Garden Guy. The work continues in maintaining the orchard to ensure the harvest of fruit makes its way to the school cafeteria and kitchens of community members for their enjoyment. An outdoor classroom has recently been added to provide a sitting area that will enable community and students alike to relish in the O’otham people’s rich agricultural history.
The future of the Legacy Community Orchard continues to
expand as Sacaton Elementary School District was recently awarded the NAFIS Stepping
Stone grant this winter. This initiative supports the creation of a Health and
Wellness Habitat that will be home for future animals such as tortoises.
Students will develop academic, social, and emotional skills by building
nurturing relationships with these animals.
Sacaton Elementary School District is extremely grateful for
the support received through Impact Aid as they continue to pave a bright
future ahead for the students of Gila River Indian Community!
Our mission is to engage students to take ownership of their learning,
embrace their culture, and contribute to the world around them!
Before, After and Aerial Views
