A new districtwide program has Northport-East Northport fourth graders learning how to use their own backyards to improve the environment. After piloting the program during the 2021-22 school year, students from all four elementary buildings now partake in an in-district field trip to the high school greenhouse. The trip involves two parts: working with AP Environmental Science students across various stations in the new outdoor classroom and native garden trail, and heading inside the greenhouse to mix soil and plant their helopsis helianthides, also called false sunflower. 
Outside the greenhouse, fourth graders worked with their older peers from Northport High School to dive into various native plants and their benefits. They worked in small groups to study their soils and proper growing environments. 
Once inside, students worked with Long Island Native Ecology teacher David LaMagna to dive further into proper soil conditions. Mixing their own soil, students then planted false sunflower, a type of native perennial flower, in containers to bring home.  
When addressing students, Mr. LaMagna expressed that he hopes when students arrive at the highschool for their freshman year, they can update him on their plant’s progress. 
Over time, the district hopes to continue expanding this program and allowing more students to utilize the unique space and learning opportunities.