East Windsor Education Association
Mercer County educator Angela Castaneda with Rachel Cunningham, Jessica Myers and Mora Pattik from East Windsor Regional School District were awarded a $5,702 grant entitled The Pollinator Literature Garden. This projecttransforms an underused school courtyard into a sensory-rich outdoor classroom that supports early literacy, science learning, and social-emotional regulation for approximately 500 students in kindergarten through second grade. The project creates a “Living Lexicon” garden filled with pollinator-friendly perennials chosen for texture, scent, and visual interest, paired with quiet seating nooks and observation stations. Students engage in descriptive writing, vocabulary development, and pollinator observation in a low-stress, inclusive environment that is especially supportive of multilingual learners and students with IEPs. By blending literacy, environmental education, and wellness, the garden fosters belonging, curiosity, and hands-on learning beyond the traditional classroom.
For more information, contact:
Angela Castaneda
Ethel McKnight School
(609) 443-7800