English High School Today
English High Students Are Growing Basil So They Can Make Basil Pesto
Prior to 1900 – before refrigeration, before corner grocery stores, before food was shipped long distances, even before your grandparents were born, most Americans had their own vegetable gardens to ensure a supply of fresh produce for their family.
Now, 18 students at English High School are getting a taste of what it might have been like to grow your own food — under the guidance of Culinary Arts teacher Jamirse De La Rosa Osoria and Science teacher Tom Hayes.
Gardening Without Soil – Planting New Ideas for Students
English High is one of five Boston Public Schools chosen to participate in the Massachusetts Farm to School Fresh Grant program in which students are getting hands-on lessons on how to grow their own healthy foods. Each school has its own hydroponic tower. Students are learning how to operate hydroponic systems which use water, light and nutrients — but not soil.
EHS Head of School Caitlin Murphy speaks at the event marking the first hydroponic tower installed in the cafeteria at English High School.
Ms. De La Rosa Osoria said, “We are grateful to Head of School Caitlin Murphy for pursuing this grant and giving us this opportunity. Having the technology and the expertise in our classroom — along with this unique team-building opportunity is incredible. We started with ‘tried and true’ plants like lettuce and basil. Later students will experiment with different plant varieties. Stay tuned!”
EHS Science Teacher Tom Hayes, right, and Culinary Arts teacher, Jamirse De La Rosa Osoria, 2nd right, are interviewed in the EHS cafeteria by WCVB camera crew during the kick-off event.
English High Science teacher Tom Hayes said, “This is saving water and cutting carbon dioxide when lettuce doesn’t have to travel from California. And it’s giving us better tasting food.” The Science team is focusing on the social/environmental implications of hydroponics while the Culinary Arts team uses harvested items to create unique and tasty dishes. Hayes smiles, “When kids have a hand in growing their own healthy food, they are much more likely to actually eat it.” He holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and an M.Ed. in Education, and has a long-time interest in gardening and hydroponics.
Ms. De la Rosa earned an Associate’s degree in Culinary Arts, a B.S in Food Service Management with a minor in Wellness and Sustainability, and an MAT in Culinary Arts Education. She is also a private chef and grows 30% of the vegetables she uses for clients.
Are students excited? Juan comes into class each day and makes sure the plants are retaining moisture. It’s his job to make sure they are watered. Another student, Maleek Haley, remarks, “I’ve been eating healthy foods my whole life but have never been able to grow and eat them! Being able to do it with my friends and my teachers is a really good experience.”
“Being able to grow healthy foods with my friends and my teachers is a really good experience.”
–EHS student Maleek Haley
