Moving outside

COCISD Superintendent Dr. Bryan Taulton joined CIS Principal Paula McClendon, SJMG Presi-dent Shirley Baker and members of the organization, along with CIS third-grade students and teachers to dedicate the new pavilion on Thursday, March 2. Photo by Cassie Gregory

Special to the News-Times

COLDSPRING — Coldspring Intermediate School students will enjoy the benefits of an outdoor classroom for their Junior Master Gardeners program thanks to a $5,000 donation from the San Jacinto Master Gardeners to help build the facility.

COCISD Superintendent Dr. Bryan Taulton joined CIS Principal Paula McClendon, SJMG President Shirley Baker and members of the organization, along with CIS third-grade students and teachers to dedicate the new pavilion on Thursday.

Baker said it was the culmination of a five-year goal of the SJMG to help COCISD provide an outdoor classroom for its Junior Master Gardener program.

“Five years ago, when we began to sell our two gardener-submitted, very successful cookbooks, ‘The Garden of Eatin’’ and ‘Second Helpings’, we voted as a group to support our JMG program with an outdoor classroom facility,” Baker said. “We strongly believe in our state-recognized Junior Master Gardener program.”

“JMG is an international youth gardening program of the university cooperative Extension network, with a mission to engage students in unique, “hands-on” group and individual learning experiences that provide a love of gardening, develop an appreciation for the environment, and cultivate the mind,” JMG Coordinator Dr. Judi Benestante said. “This is our 10th year to work with COCISD and are very proud of our COCISD third graders this year.”