‘Learning Tool’ : Principal’s Idea Blooms in Placentia
Jay Hoffman remembers that when he came to Golden Elementary School in Placentia as new principal two years ago, “I was discouraged about the bad condition of the landscaping and the state of the schoolgrounds.”
Being a realist, he added, “I knew there wasn’t money available for this kind of thing.”
But Hoffman got an inspiration: “I thought that maybe the landscaping could be made into a learning tool. And maybe some grant money would be available to do this.”
Hoffman’s idea centered around teaching the children about native California plants--shrubs and flowers that thrive naturally on little water. He submitted a proposal to the state Department of Education for such a project, and he was awarded $2,500 in January, 1986. He persuaded other agencies and institutions to provide matching grants amounting to $7,000--for a grand total of $9,500.
Built Nine Gardens
With that money, teachers and students at Golden Elementary built nine “California gardens” on the schoolgrounds, each of which has plants indigenous to a region of the state.
“The students have loved it,” said Hoffman. “They plant the garden, care for it, and learn from it. One of the things they learn is water conservation.”
One idea begets another. Last year, Hoffman thought the drought-resistant flowers would make beautiful landscaping for the front of the school, and not just in the nine little gardens. So again he applied for state money, and again he was successful, getting $4,500 this time.
On Friday, more matching money was allotted for the California flowers project. Six businesses and agencies collectively donated $4,500 to the school, and, in an afternoon ceremony, formally became “partners” with the school in the landscaping project.
The six agencies are the Metropolitan Water District, the Southern California Water Co., the Yorba Linda Water District, the Southern California Xeriscaping Organizing Committee (the adjective xeric means having to do with dry or desert-like conditions), the Municipal Water District of Orange County, and Aesthetic Artisans of Anaheim.
Water-Saving Aims
Hoffman said the water agencies all support the water-saving aims of planting drought-resistant California native plants. He said the other “partner” companies support the aesthetic value of teaching California children about the state’s native flowers.
“Some people think that if you have drought-resistant plants, you must wind up with gray, ugly flowers and plants,” said Hoffman. “But it just isn’t so, it just isn’t so. These are beautiful flowers. The front of our school is going to look very beautiful when we finish with the new project.”
Hoffman, 36, who lives in Placentia, speaks almost reverentially when he discusses California plant life. But he admits he knew little about the subject until his inspiration two years ago. “I’m a social scientist, and my doctorate is in school management,” he said.
The new principal said his learning and love for the plants that are now surrounding Golden Elementary School come from watching the students grow and care for “these very lovely flowers.” In the process, said Hoffman, “our school has a living laboratory.”
