Butterfly Habitat Planted on Earth Day at WPS

4/25/2023

Berlin, MD – If you have visited the Worcester Preparatory School (WPS) campus recently, you may have noticed the addition of raised garden beds and a paver walkway near the tennis courts. We are in the process of welcoming a new group of pollinators to our campus.

On Friday, April 21, WPS celebrated Earth Day with a presentation by Helen Raleigh, owner and operator of Story Hill Farms, on conservation and the crucial role of pollinators in our area. Following the assembly, each Lower School grade planted a garden bed with plants specifically chosen to help attract pollinators, who in turn will help share the love by fertilizing to produce fruits, seeds, and young plants.

Inspired by a generous donation by the Kaufman family, Lower School Spanish Teacher Amanda Netting led the initial planning and organization of the garden. The paver walkway and raised beds were built and installed by members of the Upper School Volunteer and Garden Clubs over a number of weeks. On Friday afternoon Lower School students completed the garden by planting their own beds.

Once the garden is finished, it will be dedicated in honor of Kathleen Otway, a cherished member of the WPS community who recently lost her battle with cancer. In addition to being a valued member of the faculty, she was also the founder of the Garden Club at WPS. Kathleen’s dear friends, John & Maureen Greco donated three benches and a birdbath, in her honor, to complete the space.

We look forward to watching this garden grow and, in turn, creating a home for local and migratory pollinators on our campus

Founded in 1970, WPS is a private, independent Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 School, located in Berlin, Maryland. Approximately 500 students attend from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. For more information about WPS, please visit www.worcesterprep.org or call 410.641.3575.

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Worcester Prep’s 2nd-grade class proudly stands over their planted garden boxes in celebration of Earth Day. Standing behind the students are 2nd-grade teachers Mrs. Abby Harrison (left), Ms. Julia Allison (right) and Story Hill Farm owner Helen Raleigh (center).
WPS 5th grader Keller Hoch (Salisbury, MD) gives a thumbs up while planting in the new Butterfly Habitat surrounded by classmates.
WPS 1st graders Eleanor Brown (Berlin, MD), Avery Anderson (Milton, DE) and Camden Haley (Ocean City, MD) were big helpers in carrying water to the new pollinator garden.
Mrs. Angie Bunting’s (far right) 1st-grade class planted their pollinator garden with the help of Assistant Head of School/Head of Upper School Mr. Mike Grosso and Upper School volunteers Vanesska Hall (Ocean City, MD), Tyler Netting (Dagsboro, DE), Ayla Yonker (Berlin, MD) and Jenna Hess (Fenwick Island, DE).
WPS upper school volunteers, Vanesska Hall (Ocean City, MD), Jenna Hess (Fenwick Island, DE) and Izzy Huber (Berlin, MD), were on hand to help lower school students plant the Butterfly Habitat.

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Worcester Preparatory School

508 South Main Street, Berlin, MD 21811

Phone: 410-641-3575 | Fax: 410-641-3586

Celebrating 50 years, WPS is an independent, college prep day school for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 students. Located in Berlin, Maryland, the private school attracts an average of 500 students from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.