Rain Barrel Decoration Contest

"The Illinois Department of Transportation made a contest, and to win we have to make a design to decorate a rain barrel.  Usually when it rains, water goes in the sewer and floods.  But a rain barrel stops that.  Water goes in the rain barrel from the downspout so we can use it later.  We can water plants with this.  When that stops the rest of the water goes in the ground.  Then goes into the lake.  It takes a long time to get there.  By the time it is there it is clean.  If it was in the sewer it would be very dirty, and some people swim in the water in the lake."
--Dakota

"The Illinois Department of Transportation has made a contest to give a school a rain barrel.  Rain barrels help you be able to collect rain.  It then allows you to dump that rain in your garden.  It also helps us in a lot of ways.  When it rains, it goes into the ground anyway.  But we can have the power to dump later when it isn't raining.  This way we can save water for the school.  We can even save water for the whole community.  This is very useful and helpful.  This way we can conserve water.  I love rain barrels!"
--Jamari

Smokey Bacon & Tomato Soup on sale at Friday's Farmers' Market

Friday the 29th of September, the CJA Agriculture Task Force kicked off the sale of it's Smokey Bacon & Tomato Soup.  The sale was a big success; we sold all but three jars!

We've got another batch to sell, so come on down to buy a jar.  You'll get great tasting soup, support local farmers and help CJA students learn about health, sustainability, and economics.

CJA Farmers’ Market

This Friday, October 5th

2:30 dismissal, after the spelling bee

Outside the atrium

Great prices on crops grown at CJA, and

SMOKEY BACON & TOMATO SOUP

What's going on with CJA's chickens?

 CJA students spend time with our hens during recess.  Student photographers document the work.

Mr. Farmer, Coco, and Coretta

Photo by Marquis

Keonnie feeds the chickens some leftover bread

Photo by Marquis

Milaun knows how much chickens love to eat weeds

Photo by Marquis

Rakeem makes sure the ladies have enough feed mix

Photo by Nasir

Hykeem shows off this afternoon's fresh eggs

Photo by Keyshawn

The group is proud of a job well done

Photo by Marquis