As we conclude another vibrant year at Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary, we hope you’ll take a moment to reflect on the milestones and achievements that have shaped our learning community in 2024. Our students, staff, and families have all worked hard to create an environment rich in learning, growth, inclusiveness and engagement. We are thankful to have been featured in the Capitola/ Soquel Times, the Santa Cruz Sentinel, and many other publications that bring SCG’s beacon a bit further into a better world.
Top 10 SCG Moments of 2024
This year, SCG earned its Green School Certification, solidifying our commitment to environmental sustainability and becoming a role model for eco-conscious practices in Santa Cruz County.
First and second graders became “Recycling Heroes” according to an article published by Santa Cruz Waste and Recovery, highlighting their leading efforts to sort waste and promote eco-friendly habits, proving that you're never too young to make a difference.
The upper grade Student Leadership is becoming recognized statewide through its transformative SEL practices that support emotional awareness, well-being, and advocacy to create a positive and inclusive environment for all students.
Our annual SAGE Hype Week brought excitement and energy to campus, celebrating the Science and Gardening Emphasis program with themed days, activities, student-led events and a school-wide SAGE emblem design contest.
Green Team members led a hands-on workshop during the Fall Garden Workday: "Let it Rot! How to Make Compost," teaching the community about sustainable practices and empowering participants to reduce waste at home.
Our school received a prestigious grant from NOAA, acknowledging our continued efforts in ocean conservation and education as part of the Ocean Guardian Cohort, joining other watershed steward-based schools around the country. This work featured SCG and one other school in the SC Sentinel!
Students combined their scientific knowledge and engineering skills to design and construct trellises for the TLC garden. The results of their work, showcasing their creativity and problem-solving abilities, was published in the periodical Science & Children, April 2024.
The Green Team brought the house down during the final SAGE assembly of the year with presentations that highlighted their initiatives and inspired the audience to take actionable steps for a greener future.
The 4th and 5th grade students in Mr. Boyce’s class collaborated to develop a comprehensive trail guide for the Chaminade Trail system located behind our school. Blending art, field research, engineering practices, and new community partnerships these upper grade students were proud to share a project that will benefit the community for years to come.
This inspiring documentary, created by Isaac McGilvray, captured the essence of what it means to be a member of the SCG learning community. This student-created film showcased Isaac’s–now at NBMS– budding passion for creativity and documenting school culture, leaving a lasting impression on all who viewed it.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate these highlights, we also look forward to another year of innovation, learning, and community engagement. Thank you for making 2024 unforgettable at Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary!
HERE WE GROW!
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