A few simple thoughts on school gardens

I've been posting a few hopefully thought provoking questions on Facebook and enjoying the feedback.  I wondered though, what if I could present my ideas, a little more expanded, and also enable others to comment more thoroughly for all those interested. 
So this is it. 
This morning's thought is on gardening in the schools.  Tell me where I'm misguided.  From what I see and hear, living in our society, is not going to get easier.  Unemployment is up, poverty is up, the environment still suffers will continue to do so as we go to greater extremes to acquire what we need to maintain our comfortable life styles.  The rich get richer and the poor and middle class get poorer. 

While we may learn to live with less, there is one thing we can't do without.  FOOD.  I see us going back to the days of Victory Gardens, and all those that can raise some food will be in a better position.  Growing one's own food increases one's own value in the community and increases one's health, assuming one is growning without chemicals to the extreme. 

The physical and psychological benefits are numerous.  Maby you can comment on that. 

One of my goals as a teacher is to broaden the horizons of my students about FOOD.  Where it comes from, how it is transported, and impacts the energy situation.  What are the health benefits of food choices.  And ultimately, introduce them to growing their own.  Add to that, the opportunities for cooking, meal preparation, health benefits, career opportunities. And then add to that, the interrelatedness of what we need to grow.  An understanding and cooperation with nature.  How to research effectively.  Social and communication skills needed to most effectively maximize the benefits.  Understanding of the tools and equipment needed.  Maintenance of the tools.  Metalurgy.  Power mechanics.  Then throw in the documentation of the activities with photography and video, public speaking for the kids, possible contests.  The list goes on. 

 If it isn't obvious, I am drwaw to the big picture.  Working out the details though is a challenge. 

One detail I'm working out is the beautification of the school grounds at Parkway.  We'll do some vegetable gardening too but at this point, perrenial flower gardens has my immediate attention.  Getting the kids outside to dig and plant flowers is fun. 

I'm learning as much if not more, than they are.  That's just one of the reasons I love teaching.  At this point, I am in fact overwhelmed with where to start. Suggestions?

Do you have suggestions as to where to begin learning about land scape design?  The best book?  The best videos?  The best local resources (Watauga County). Do you know of a landscaper or supplier that might donate a little bit of time or a plant or two, or a truckload of mulch?   I expect this to be a serendiptious collaborative effort with kids, parents, and community. 

Here is a corner of the school lot we hope to amend. 

The wall on the right with the windows faces due sounth.  Will need to put in plants and shrubs that love sun.  The wall on the left gets sun from noon on til the sun goes down pretty much.  More sun loving plants there too.  Possible rock wall on the corner, tapering down, mulch.  Tall sun loving plants on the back side, along the white rail. 

Keep those ideas coming.