We, the undersigned, are neighbors living near Strawberry Knoll Elementary School (SKES). We are saddened that Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) bulldozed the Three Sisters Garden on June 30, 2022. We are disappointed that MCPS denied the request to develop this informal, nascent comm­unity garden as a more official project of the school. There are many models to choose from; e.g., www.washingtonyouthgarden.org​; montgomeryparks.org/community-gardens; & edibleschoolyard.org.

We ask MCPS to fully recognize the value of the security (e.g., reporting trespassing and vandalism), informal education, and good community-school relations provided by adult volunteers who worked the land. We worked within sight of K-5 students as they came to and went from the school. We worked on evenings and weekends, when staff are rarely present to keep an eye on the buildings. The garden was managed safely for two-and-a-half years, and the buildings and grounds were safer because of it.

We ask MCPS to work with adult volunteers, school staff, and officials–as partners–to figure out a way to establish a gardening project that would support the elementary curriculum, integrating math and literacy with lessons about where food comes from (science and history), while improving this plot of land and reducing carbon emissions. Many families have picked up meals from SKES since the COVID epidemic began. Perhaps a garden could be part of an educational program for students and parents about food, nutrition, and sustainability. For example, students can stand on the sidewalk, alongside the garden, during a “field trip” lesson. Instructors don’t need to serve students food from the garden, and students don’t need to enter the garden, for a successful lesson to occur. After school hours, civilians (e.g., parents and children) can visit the “community garden” on their own time, which is a recreational activity that happens every day, all over this region, and indeed all across the nation.

We believe that it is wrong for children or adults to perceive strawberry, tomato, and okra plants as threats. There is a way for strawberries to be grown safely and legally on Strawberry Knoll to the benefit of all. This is an opportunity for leadership. As the world evolves, schools can also evolve to better serve their community. We hope MCPS will collaborate with us in this effort.