Garden Place Academy stands in the shadows of I-25 and I-70 in the heart of Globeville—an old ethnic neighborhood isolated from the rest of the city by the highways, railroad tracks and the South Platte River. The school is solid red brick designed in the friendly Romanesque style popular through the early 1900s. Once inside everything feels homey. To the original mahogany woodwork and high arched windows the teachers and children have added colorful murals and art projects that are taped to walls and touted atop lockers.
When I arrive, the morning assembly is about to begin. Children and teachers stream around me toward the auditorium. Many smile and greet each other adding to the feeling of warmth and community. The Food for Thought volunteers are already in the building wielding hand trucks piled with food containers. They stack these beside the classroom doors on both upper floors of the school.
I catch up with Rebecca Salomon, the school’s principal after the assembly. She is in the hallway helping a young girl of maybe six or seven collect her coat and hat and backpack. Once the girl is on her way to class, we move to a small space off the main office.
I ask her about the school’s recent elevation to a “Green” rating on the district’s School Performance Framework. Green means Garden Place is a school that according to the district’s website is “performing at the level that the district expects and [has] high ratings in either the Academic Growth or Academic Proficiency category.”
Principal Solomon seem rightfully proud of this accomplishment. “It’s been a four-year process of our team focusing on instruction and constant monitoring so that no child falls through the cracks.” In fact, Garden Place has exceeded district expectations for three years running, making it one of the most improved and top-performing schools in Denver.
We also talk about El Sistema Colorado, an internationally acclaimed intensive music program, that launched its pilot program at Garden Place in 2012. The children participate in the program for three to four hours after school four days a week. “The program provides community for the students and parents and it brings a lot of life, the beauty of the arts, and a feeling of belonging.” Solomon continues, “When you’re working with the soul, it’s subtle changes that occur.”
Food for Thought is another resource that Principle Solomon recently brought to Garden Place. She was aware of the program’s success at Columbian Elementary school. “I knew we had a similar demographic to Columbian and that Food for Thought was looking for another school to expand to.”
Over 73% of Denver students are low income, and over 90% of Garden Place students qualify for food relief. In addition, the Globeville neighborhood has no grocery store within walking distance.
“I know the backpack program helps support our families both nutritionally and monetarily.” Solomon says. She also notes that Food for Thought has become a welcome part of the kids’ Friday routine. As a sign of how well the program has been received, she offers, “We hardly ever have a bag of food left over.” Solomon is particularly impressed by Food for Thought’s “no stigma” approach of providing food backpacks for all students regardless of income.
About 16 million kids nationwide live in food insecure households. And some recent studies indicate that a lack of nutritious foods in childhood may have both immediate and long-term detrimental health effects.
Principal Solomon seems clearly aware of the many challenges facing Garden Place. She sees the school as both a school and a community center. “A school first and then a community center,” she first tells me, but then revises this to “a school and a community center simultaneously.”
“I try to bring as many resources into the school as possible.” Solomon concludes. Food for Thought is one such resource. We’re happy to be associated with Garden Place Academy, a school that is both determined and resourceful in its efforts to improve the lives of students and the community.