SAN JOSE, CA – The Santa Clara County Office of Education’s (SCCOE) Special Education Gardening Program received one of 16 grants awarded by local McDonald’s franchisees. The program was awarded $2,500, which will support hands-on learning for students in special education.
Through the McDonald’s Golden Grant, the gardening program will provide seeds, soil, plants, and gardening tools to students. Currently, there are more than 30 garden beds throughout SCCOE program sites. Most recently, a gardening teacher was hired to expand learning opportunities.
“This grant emphasizes the importance of local partnerships that benefit students,” said County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary Ann Dewan. “If you’re not an educator or work in education, you can still support students.”
Since 2018 existing classroom gardens were revitalized and the number of gardens in special education programs through the SCCOE continues to grow. The gardening program provides students with hands-on learning, and enriching and sustainable activities across grade levels and ability levels. Gardening provides students with opportunities to learn and practice sensory and language skills, build vocational skills and confidence, and harvest what they grow for a farm-to-table experience.
This is the first year that local owners/operators of McDonald’s locations throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, Salinas-Monterey, and the Central Coast are funding the Golden Grants Program to benefit local students. The grant program connects local owners/operators to local organizations serving students in grades K-12.
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About the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency committed to serving, inspiring, and promoting student and public school success. The SCCOE is a premier service organization driven by the core principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and partnership. For more information about the Santa Clara County Office of Education, please visit www.sccoe.org and follow us @SCCOE on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.