Vista Del Sol Environmental Science Academy celebrated its successful inaugural year with festivities that brought together students, parents, and the community.
The Eagles showcased their hard work over the past school year at the school’s community farmers market on May 4. The special day also marked the 40th anniversary of Vista Del Sol Elementary School, which was relaunched as the Vista Del Sol Environmental Science Academy at the start of the 2023-24 school year to focus on a specialized curriculum of environmental stewardship along with traditional elementary instruction.
"Today is kind of a culminating activity for our wonderful first year of our academy," said Principal Cynthia Velasquez. "We've truly been amazed at the distance that we've come, the things that we've achieved, the things that have already happened, and the plans that we already have for what's coming."
Participants shopped for plants planted by the students and browsed a variety of products from different community vendors.
Celeste Lomeli, a junior at Socorro High School, provided free glucose and blood pressure checks as a part of her Health Occupations Students of America project. Aside from offering a service, Lomeli also purchased a plant, hair gel, and a toy duck.
“It’s amazing!” Lomeli said. “Everybody has a lot of good stuff.”
Visitors had the opportunity to explore the academy’s grounds, where several additions have been made. Since the beginning of the school year, raised garden beds with flowers and herbs have been incorporated. Furthermore, teachers received training from the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center to plant fruits and vegetables, including onions, lettuce and spinach. The school recently added a chicken coop with live chickens and chicks, enhancing the hands-on learning experience for students.
“We are trying to incorporate nature as much as we can, so our students are aware of the importance of caring for our earth,” Velasquez said.
Kristian Torres, the school’s environmental science coordinator, said the farmers market was a great opportunity to show the community the fruits of the school’s labor and to thank parents and community partners for their support.
“Our minds and hearts are with the students, but also to share with the community the importance of being able to provide sustainable products and be able to show our community that we are able to provide you with resources for you to do this at home, as well,” Torres said. “We want to make sure that our campus is a hub for them to come together and learn from us.”
Evelyn Alvarado, a parent of a first, second, and fourth grader at the academy, enjoyed a game of cornhole with her children. Alvarado said the farmers market was a nice way for her family to spend time together on a sunny Saturday morning. She said the school’s environmental science curriculum has helped her children learn more about the environment.
“I like it,” Alvarado said. “It’s really good for them, especially since we’re out in the desert.”
Fifth-grader Melanie Herrera checked out the plants for sale that had been planted by the school’s gardening club.
“We learned that a lot of these plants need a lot of care because if you don't care enough for them, they'll end up dying,” Herrera said. “But pretty much plants are really nice, especially when they're in the house or somewhere outside.”
The public also had the chance to tour the school. In honor of its 40th anniversary, students decorated the hallways with memorabilia from the various decades the school has been open. A school jacket and cheerleading uniform were displayed on the wall in the hallway to represent the 1980s, when the school first opened.
Amanda Hernandez, a nurse at Benito Martinez Elementary and her husband, Adrian Hernandez, attended Vista Del Sol Elementary in the 1990s. Amanda Hernandez jumped at the chance to revisit her alma mater.
“We came to elementary school here,” Amanda Hernandez said. “We grew up in this neighborhood. I work in the district. When I saw that they were going to have (a tour), I told him, ‘We have to go see it!’
Vista Del Sol Environmental Science Academy celebrates first year event photos