Donated Apple Trees Highlight De Zavala Garden Club Activities

Each Friday afternoon, a group of dedicated teachers and students who are members of the De Zavala Elementary Garden Club meet to maintain five raised vegetable beds, a pollinator “Peace” garden, and the flower beds by the school front entrance area.

The students learn about plants and the environment, and the roles of butterflies, insects, and bees—under the direction of teachers Justine Pacheco, Rosalba Merchant, Marcos Manrique, and Maria Thompson. Community gardeners often join the group to share experiences and materials.

One such De Zavala supporter is Salwa Gharib who recently donated two apple trees in honor of her daughters who are students at De Zavala Elementary.