Nature doesn’t let us pick and choose our weather. So, when the high school biology class got on the bus to travel to Maplecrest, home of Sugar Maples farm, on June 6th, everyone wondered what they would do in the rain. The class quickly learned that farming must continue, rain or shine. The Field Trip, organized by Mrs. Li of the high school science department at Windham Ashland Jewett Central School and Dawa Sherpa, the Sugar Maples Caretaker and Farm Coordinator, was a great learning experience for all. “As we live in a rural setting, it is extremely important to understand the beauties of agriculture and nature,” said senior, Kevin Mattice. “Because of the trip, I was able to appreciate the hard work that farmers must do to provide fresh vegetables to the community.” In such a one-of-a-kind community, students are very fortunate to be able to visit a local agricultural farm to see how their vegetables start as tiny seeds and turn into delicious, healthy foods that are enjoyed by everyone. Although the weather restricted the farming experience to indoors, the students were still able to participate in many activities such as planting seeds in the greenhouse and packaging vegetables in the farm house. At the end of the day, the students took home the plants that they potted themselves. Supported by the Windham Foundation, the field trip to the Sugar Maples farm was a rewarding and fun day for the kids of WAJ.
Category Archives: News
The WAJ community was all smiles as students and their families participated in the Dental Van Service sponsored by the Windham Foundation. Through the Columbia Memorial Hospital Dental Unit, which consists of dentists and hygienists, patients received free dental services in an operational van with all the tools they need for a fully functional practice. Among the services were routine check-ups, cleanings, extractions, x-rays and tooth sealants. The dental team came to WAJ every Tuesday and Friday in the month of June to help the community with their dental needs.
In additional to working with children and 
adults, the dental team visited each elementary school classroom and taught the kids about the significance of dental hygiene. With education being one of the keys to the Windham Foundation’s mission, the students learned how to keep their teeth clean and healthy as well as what to eat and avoid for maintaining oral health. To further encourage the kids, they were given goodie bags at the end of their appointments that included a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss and a reading book of their choice. Keep smiling and thanks to Windham Foundation for again, helping our town and the people who live here.
This March, Deb Valerio’s science club students from Windham-Ashland-Jewett (WAJ) once again returned to the
Agroforestry Resource Center to engage in hands on natural resource based education. Andrew Randazzo, an Environmental Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties worked with students to develop their understanding of groundwater.
Over half of the nation’s drinking supply comes from groundwater, making it a vital resource for youth to be aware of. The WAJ Science Club built model aquifers to help them better understand how ground water flows. The models served as an interactive experience for the club members to grasp the complexity of our earth’s natural systems.
In tandem with the aquifer experiment students planted bean seeds, some of which will be exposed to household cleaners over time. This experiment is designed to highlight the impacts of chemicals we often use on a daily basis, allowing students to consider ways to protect our drinking supply.
The WAJ Science Club would not be possible without the generous financial support of The Windham Foundation. The next session of the WAJ Science Club will take place in April.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. The programs provided by this organization are partially funded by monies received from the Counties of Columbia and Greene.
4-H is New York’s only youth development program directly connected to the technological advances and the latest research at Cornell University. 4-H participants learn leadership, citizenship and life skills through hands-on projects in three primary program areas: science and technology; healthy living; and citizenship. To find out more about 4-H and youth programs in Columbia and Greene Counties, contact us at 518-828-3346 or Columbiagreene@cornell.edu or visit our website, www.ccecolumbiagreene.org . You can also “Like” us on Facebook…Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties.
Dear Editor:
We at Windham Community Food Pantry would like to thank the Windham Foundation for their very generous donation of $5000 to our organization. We are a 501©3 not for profit organization depending solely on donations. Our staff is strictly volunteer therefore 100% of moneys received is used to stamp out hunger on the Mountain Top by distributing food and many other needful items to families in need. We also distribute turkeys during Thanksgiving season, and adopt needy families during Christmas to provide gifts for all members of the family, adults and children alike All of this is as a result of donors who make this possible. Thank you so much Windham Foundation for your part in what we are able to do.
Respectfully submitted,
Dianne Bunce, Administrator
WAJ Science Club Launches Their First Experiment
By Andrew Randazzo, 4-H Natural Environment Educator
On Friday, October 14th, elementary students from the Windham-Ashland-Jewett (WAJ) Science Club began
their scientific journey of experimentation. This year’s club will be all about experimenting with soil and plants to discuss the importance of environmental stewardship. Students will have the opportunity to learn about water, soil, plants and pollution through hands on experimentation over the course of the school year.
This month’s meeting marked the launch of our experiment designed to test the effects of using different soil substrates on plant growth. The students got the opportunity to prepare three different soil substrates for use in “The Edible Grow Wall.” This alternative growing system enables its users to utilize indoor space to cultivate plants and is perfect for student inquiry and exploration.
Deb Valerio, science teacher at Windham-Ashland-Jewett, and Andrew Randazzo, Environmental Educator from Cornell Cooperative Extension also led the students in collecting soil samples outside the Agroforestry Resource Center. The samples were used to teach students about the soil profile and how water travels underground.
The WAJ Science Club would not be possible without the generous financial support of The Windham Foundation. The next session of the WAJ Science Club will take place on November 18th where the fun with experimentation will continue.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. The programs provided by this organization are partially funded by monies received from the Counties of Columbia and Greene.
4-H is New York’s only youth development program directly connected to the technological advances and the latest research at Cornell University. 4-H participants learn leadership, citizenship and life skills through hands-on projects in three primary program areas: science and technology; healthy living; and citizenship. To find out more about 4-H and youth programs in Columbia and Greene Counties, contact us at 518-828-3346 or Columbiagreene@cornell.edu or visit our website, www.ccecolumbiagreene.org . You can also “Like” us on Facebook…Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties.