At Washington Irving Elementary, students on the Watching Outdoor Wonders (WOW) team sell hand-painted rocks each year to fund the school's beloved butterfly garden. The rock sale supports funding for the butterfly garden throughout the year and is its only fundraiser.
Cheryl Kern started the butterfly garden in 1997 with a $2,000 grant back in 1997. What started as a muddy patch of land has turned into a thriving ecosystem filled with vibrant flowers and fluttering butterflies. While Mrs. Kern is no longer a full-time employee at EPS, she still works with the WOW Team each year. 
Pictured: Cheryl Kern and Cara Day. Mrs. Day was on the WOW Team when she attended Washington Irving. Now, she is a Pre-K teacher at Washington Irving and plans to take over the WOW Team when Mrs. Kern steps down.
Each year, the WOW team organizes a rock sale, where students showcase their artistic talents by painting rocks with colorful designs. The proceeds from this annual event are essential for maintaining and expanding the butterfly garden. The students on the WOW team take pride in not only fundraising, but also in the hands-on work of gardening. They plant and care for the flowers in the garden and have even memorized the names of each species. The WOW team often works with younger grades to teach them about what it takes to upkeep a garden like this.
WOW Team students also tag and follow monarch butterflies. One student remarked that they watched one butterfly go all the way to Mexico!
This initiative not only teaches students about the wonders of nature but also instills a sense of responsibility for the environment. Through their efforts, the students of Washington Irving Elementary are nurturing a beautiful space for butterflies while cultivating a deeper appreciation for nature.