Annual Pen Pal Seed Exchange

[REBEKKA HENRIKSEN]

Good morning,

The annual Pen Pal Seed Exchange is open for enrollment! This program connects students from around the country with one another and with their school growing spaces. This is a wonderful ELA , science and research activity for students, and is a lovely way to connect them to their school growing spaces. This is open to both elementary and secondary classrooms.

Classrooms enroll and agree to exchange letters and seeds with another classroom at a different school in another part of the country. Form to enroll a classroom is here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScnNJCKY1uKpLzUIZmP7Mm-ZibAk2XzZoZhQ1E-FQBgox3CWw/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=117075671019230374295

FAQ:

What kinds of seeds do I send?

We love it when the seeds are collected from your school garden/growing space, but it is not required. Seeds can be commercial ones as well. Vegetable, herb, flower seeds are all appreciated.

What does the exchange entail?

Your students will write a letter and prepare a seed packet to send to students at a different school in a different state or region. Many teachers/educators like to deepen this by connecting to their pen pals via virtual meet ups where they can view each other's classrooms and grow spaces. Some classrooms exchange one letter, some do multiple. It really depends on you and your wishes! Virtual meet ups are SUPER FUN!

When do we have to mail the seeds by?

It is helpful to mail off the seeds by mid tMarch to allow time for seed starting and growing!

Can I choose my partner school/program/region?

I work hard to match ages/grade levels, but it is not possible to select your partners although I am open to requests - I cannot guarantee you will be matched with a particular region or school. Part of the objective of this program is to connect students to others in other parts of the country to enable them to learn about different climates, growing seasons, geographies etc.

Are there any other resources?

Yes! Once enrolled you will be shared a link to a folder containing resources that include a letter template and a cut and fold seed packet template.

Thank you!

Rebekka Henriksen (she/her)
Farm to School Project Manager

Office of Innovation, Equity & Engagement
Schenectady City School District
https://www.instagram.com/schenectadyf2s/
518-949-0520 (work mobile)
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1880 Lancaster Street
Schenectady, NY 12308