“What we're doing is we're trying to find a place where these children excel or something that they at least enjoy. We can provide that, and we can give the child a different way of seeing themselves and a different way.” - Terri Garth
“If they grow it, they will taste it,” Lisa said. “For them to sit down and try a bell pepper, even though it's dipped in ranch dressing, they eat it. I think it encourages them to try new things, not just food, but ‘Hey, I tried that, and I liked it. Maybe I can try this activity. Maybe I can hit a baseball.’” Nature is an engaging topic as students run over to Lisa the moment they find a crystal or snakeskin on The Parish School grounds. It’s a satisfying feeling for her to see the students so engaged with the outdoors. During her time at Parish, the nature studies program continues to blossom, with the completion of Ryan’s Thankful Garden in 2023 and the beehive installation in 2024. At Parish, nature is more than a subject – it’s a calming, welcoming space where they can feel safe, curious and free to be themselves. However, Lisa does pass down one responsibility to her students: Always protect nature. “Every bug, you don't have to step on it, respect nature,” Lisa said. “I think they get that from gardening too. When the garden gives something back to them, they get more respect.” Pursuing Passions Thirty-four years after Terri Garth proposed her vision for the Arts & Sciences department to Robbin, the program continues to provide a
safe space for Parish students to express their creativity and thrive.
“Every human being is put on this earth to create in some way, and we're helping give children a venue to find their way to create,” Terri said. Robbin Parish “believed that every child was special in some way,” according to Terri. The environment that this department has cultivated allows students to find an interest and gives them full confidence and support to pursue it.
It’s the village of The Parish School fulfilling its mission.
“What we're doing is we're trying to find a place where these children excel or something that they at least enjoy,” Terri said. “We can provide that, and we can give the child a different way of seeing themselves and a different way.”
Every human being is put on this earth to create in some way, and we're helping give children a venue to find their way to create.
| 15 SUMMER 2025
Made with FlippingBook Annual report maker