Rock Hall Elementary School staff members help families select fresh produce at a farmers market held at the school Friday, June 10.
ROCK HALL — As the academic year was winding down, Rock Hall Elementary School was already ramping up its new role in the community.
Rock Hall Elementary School has been designated a Community School under the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, a massive state education reform program. H.H. Garnet Elementary School in Chestertown also is a designated Community School.
The goal of the Community School program is to use schools to help deliver additional resources to families and area residents.
As part of this effort, Rock Hall Elementary School hosted a farmers market from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, June 10.
"In my 18 years of experience with Kent County Public Schools this event ranks at the top of those I am most proud of," said Principal Gillian Spero. "It was such a joyful event that truly captured what is wonderful about the Rock Hall community. The spirit of giving and sharing, of meaningful and friendly conversations and interactions showed that this community is so supportive and all of us at the school are proud to have contributed to what makes Rock Hall so special."
Staff stayed after school to help pass out fresh produce and more for Rock Hall Elementary School families.
Organizations also joined the market to offer information for families. Kent County Parks and Recreation, Recovery in Motion, the Community Food Pantry, Choptank Health, the Kent County Family YMCA, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) and 4-H programs, the Kent County Local Management Board, Red Acres Hydroponics and Modern Stone Age Kitchen were all on hand.
Prior to the farmers market, the school hosted a series of nutrition-related assemblies for students during the day with presentations by the SNAP-Ed and 4-H programs and the Modern Stone Age Kitchen.
"The excitement the students had when they were engaged in our school assembles as well as picking out their own fruits and vegetables to take home was very rewarding for everyone involved," said Jory Mitzel, the Community School specialist for Rock Hall Elementary School.
Mitzel said her goal as the Community School specialist is to help families and community members with access to limited resources. She said addressing physical health and wellness stood out in a needs assessment completed earlier this year.
The assemblies coupled with the farmers market was one way of expanding educational opportunities about healthy foods for students and families.
"Organizing this project and seeing it through and witnessing firsthand the positive impact it had on our community and students was very moving," Mitzel said. "We are already looking at ways we can improve and reach even more families and community members for our next farmers market."
Rock Hall Elementary School staff members help families select fresh produce at a farmers market held at the school Friday, June 10.
Wyatt Beck smiles for the camera as he looks over the fresh fruits and vegetables available at the Rock Hall Elementary School farmers market.
Jory Mitzel, Community School specialist, offers a taste test of a spinach salad at the Rock Hall Elementary School farmers market.
Rock Hall Elementary School Principal Gillian Spero is joined by students Amiah and Amir Black.
These bags designed and made by art teacher Teresa Jetton with help from students were passed out to attendees at the Rock Hall Elementary School farmers market.
Rock Hall Elementary School students pick out fresh produce at the farmers market held Friday, June 10. Clockwise from left are Jaxson Renner, Connie Sweenie, Maeve Beck, Tashia Branch and Donovan Mitchell.
Student Gabby Mitzel takes a turn on the 4-H program's blender bike at an assembly held at Rock Hall Elementary School with Molly Rusch, left, of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education and Beth Hill of 4-H.
Bill Schindler talks to Rock Hall Elementary School students about nutrition and healthy eating. Schindler and his family, wife Christina Schindler and daughter Brianna Schindler, own Modern Stone Age Kitchen in Chestertown.