Move2learnkids

Last month, we celebrated another successful year of our bike-powered garden program at George Washington Middle School with our annual Salad-bration. 🌱🚲

This program brings together students, educators, Master Gardeners, community partners, and student engineers for a learning experience that’s equal parts movement, STEM, gardening, and nutrition.

Throughout the day, students explored the garden, harvested produce, sampled fresh foods, and learned about herbs from the incredible VCE Master Gardeners. Lavender, mint, rosemary, sage, oregano, and lemon herbs were passed around for students to touch, smell, and experience firsthand.

One student who is visually impaired had some of the best observations of the day.

“This smells like pizza,” he said while smelling oregano.
“This feels soft and furry,” he said as he explored another plant.

Later, he took a turn on one of the bike-powered sprinklers built by GWMS STEM Club students. After he finished pedaling, his aide brought him over to the garden bed and helped him feel the sprinkler still turning and the water landing on the lettuce leaves.

Only then did he realize the connection.

His movement had powered the sprinkler.
The sprinkler had watered the garden.
And he had helped something grow.

Moments like that are why this program matters.

For four years, this partnership has created opportunities for students to learn by moving, building, growing, exploring, and experiencing. It’s a true community effort, and we’re grateful to everyone who helps make it possible.

A special thank you to Dominion Energy Community Foundation, which recently awarded funding for another year of the program, as well as the VCE Master Gardeners, the GWMS staff and students, and all of our community partners who continue to invest in hands-on learning.

Here’s to another year of growing minds, healthy habits, and meaningful connections. 💙

Yesterday, we gratefully received a grant from 💛 🎉

Together, we’re ensuring that students with IEPs and other special needs receive our active seating and teacher know-how next fall!

It’s an important link to learning how moving your body (even in tight spaces!) improves focus and attention during the school day.

We 💙 you Rotary and thank you for your partnership and investment in our students!

Focus is the goal. Movement is the tool.

For many students, movement helps the brain regulate attention, process information, and stay engaged. When we remove all opportunities to move, we’re not removing the need for movement, we’re simply removing a tool that helps some children access learning.

The question isn’t whether every child should be sitting on a bouncy ball.

The question is whether every child has access to the supports they need to focus, learn, and succeed.

Because students don’t all learn the same way. Why should they all sit the same way?

💙💛

On this very hot, sunny day, our girls played their final game of the season! After the game, the team celebrated the seniors who just yesterday walked across the graduation stage and today played the last game of their high school careers.

We are so proud of all they have accomplished both on and off the field. A special congratulations to our seniors for their hard work, leadership, and dedication throughout the years. Move2Learn is proud and honored to support this club and these incredible student-athletes. We wish our seniors all the best in their next chapter! 💙💛⚽🎓

This isn’t our opinion- it’s backed by science. When students have opportunities to move, they’re more focused, engaged and ready to learn. 💙🧠