Ramona Community Montessori School dedicates Reflection Garden

Wet weather didn’t dampen the spirits of those celebrating the dedication of the Reflection Garden at Ramona Community Montessori School. They merely moved indoors.

“This whole thing has been quite an adventure, because I don’t garden,” admitted Donna Braye-Romero, Ramona Community Montessori School kindergarten teacher in charge of the project.

The 4,000-square-foot garden spans the length of the kindergarten wing and curves around another portion of the building. Its inspiration came from Julian Elementary School, where Ramona Community Montessori first- and second-grade teacher Rebecca Pierce’s daughter is a

student. When Pierce saw the garden at Julian Elementary, she decided “our children in Ramona deserved a similar learning space.”

In addition to fruits, vegetables, herbs, and colorful plants and flowers, the organic garden features a labyrinth and serves as a place for students, staff and community members to relax, reflect and connect with nature.

“A huge part of Montessori is nature and being aware of the natural world,” Principal Kathryn Gunderson said.

A $5,000 grant from California Teachers Association kicked off the project. Braye-Romero wrote the creative teaching grant proposal. The goal is to encourage self-reflection, connections with nature and outdoor education.

“The grant was for alternative learning,” Gunderson said at the Sept. 15 event, adding that it gives those at the school the opportunity for “outside the box teaching and learning.”

Braye-Romero, whom Pierce called the driving force behind the garden, reviewed how it evolved from standard school landscaping of bushes and daylilies, noting she encountered some unexpected twists and turns and is thankful for all those who helped.

Showing a slide of what the area looked like a year ago, Braye-Romero said, “it’s been quite a makeover.”

Help came from everywhere, including from school custodian Carlos Cordova, an organic gardener.

“He said he’d love to help,” said Braye-Romero. “...That was the start. Some parents decided they wanted to help.”

Cordova shared heirloom seeds and provided much labor and encouragement, she said.

Braye-Romero and Gunderson reviewed how many people contributed to the project — parents, community members, staff members and organizations — and presented many of them with certificates of appreciation. Among those receiving certificates were Dick Gale on behalf of the California Teachers Association; the Ramona Garden Club, which donated $500 for tools; Brett Hurst from Hanson Aggregates; Candace and Ralph Morris, grandparents who provided design and materials suggestions; master gardener Linda Kadubec; Ramona Teachers Association; Nancy Roy of the North County Community Action Council; Carlos Cordova; Richard Huerta, Ramona Hydroponics owner; David and Chesni Meske, who designed and built the irrigation and drainage system; the Creighton and Scott families for the raised planting beds and trellises; Scott Sutton for labor and the entry sculpture gate; Dan Swaim for consulting and encouragement; Girl Scout Troop 2347 for the ladybug rocks and summer maintenance; and Home Depot-Santee for $2,000 for equipment and supplies.

“Tonight is just an occasion to pause and reflect upon our growth to this point,” Gunderson wrote in her “Next Season” statement. “We still have more to our vision to implement: murals on the walls, water catchment and composting ideas, hydroponics, seating for three separate teaching stations, winter crops, and succulents.”

A weather station is planned, noted Braye-Romero.

“We can make the whole school a garden,” she said.