The Latest dirt

Have you checked out the gardens lately?  We are growing squash, okra, peppers, tomatoes, peas, basil and more...and we only installed them 4 months ago for Earth Day!  So very excited for the fall and winter planting seasons...it's the best time for growing abundant varieties of veggies in Central Texas. (more here: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/travis/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/VegPlantingGuideJan2015.pdf).

Remember that Monarch grant we won last year?  It is time to create and build the 300 sq ft butterfly habitat.  They should be migrating back through Austin, to Mexico, from Canada sometime in the fall.  (more here: http://www.beyondabook.org/butterbike-route/) If you want to be a Monarch Hero and help with this project, we will start planning after school on Mondays beginning August 25th.  Meet in the Kinder courtyard at 3:10pm.

It's time to Bow-Wow Y'all!  (Bike On Wednesday-Walk on Wednesday).  Even if you are a car driver, you can still participate.  Choose a location a half mile to a mile away, park and walk with your child to school.  It's a great way to start the day for both of you and it will improve your fitness levels at the same time!  Who knows...maybe you'll choose to walk or ride every day. :)  See what the City of Austin has to say about Safe Routes to Schools here:  https://www.google.com/search?q=bow+wow+coa+safe+routes+to+schools&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

New this year, Morning Bike Train.  Meet up at Mt. Vernon and Redd every day, wheels rolling at 7:20a.  Riding in groups is safer for everyone and extra parent riders are greatly appreciated.  Helmets for kids are required and strongly recommended for adults.

And finally, volunteers from Eastside Yoga have offered to do their day of service at Joslin, providing the labor and skills to install a Mindfulness garden with a pond.  (more here: https://eastsideyoga.wordpress.com/ ) We are shooting for a Saturday morning in mid-September.

We have a lot of wonderful things going on this year and would love for everyone to play a part.  Please email me (katemasonmurphy@me.com) for more information. Ideas and suggestions for other health and wellness-related initiatives are always welcomed.  Stay tuned to the JAG for your most current opportunities to be an integral part of our team.
Eat more veggies~

Kate