On Tuesday May 16, 2017 Kindergarten and Fifth grade students at Abraham Lincoln School No. 14 were delighted to launch the “Union County Kids Dig In” garden grant program sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. The kindergarten students from Mrs. Castanheira and Mrs. Cardona’s class joined Board Vice President Maria Carvalho, Board Commissioner Diane Barbosa, Board Commissioner Daniel Nina, and Union County Freeholder Sergio Granados to plant a variety of vegetables.  They also worked with Mr. Billian and Mr. Giuliano’s Fifth Graders to plant sunflower seeds in three of the four plant beds provided by the grant.  The Fifth Graders were excited to share with the special guests the gardening knowledge they have gained doing a variety of fun experiments in their current Science unit. The students are learning that organisms need energy and matter to live and grow.  Another concept the students are learning in the Environments science unit is how living organisms depend on one another and on their environment for their survival and the survival of populations.  Moving forward, all students will share in our garden experience.  “We are excited and proud to be sharing thirty percent of our crop yield with the community,” says Principal Badalis. Perhaps the biggest lesson the School 14 students will learn is giving back to the community.