It was late August and while many of us were thinking about harvesting and putting our gardens to bed for the winter, Via Vita Academy was in garden start-up mode. ​

I enjoyed the wonderful meal and the opportunity to meet the families and students who came out to participate in preparing for a new school garden.

Bellies full, we headed out to the garden area. Our task list included staking out and leveling areas for new raised beds, identifying an area for a grassy play area and general weeding and tidying.
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Enthusiastic helpers picked up tools and got to work without prompting! It was a pleasure to watch how each child approached the work. Some stayed close to mom while others ventured off independently to learn how a landscapers measuring reel worked or to pound in wooden stakes. Older students explored nature with younger ones while others found the blackberry patch and spent some time berry picking and feasting. It was a happy mix of work and play! 

With the school year now in full swing, the garden will become an integral part of the curriculum at Via Vita Academy.  Already, students are planting, watering, composting, and maintaining the garden - experiencing hands-on learning that will stay with them for years to come.

​It's go time! With just one week left, we have been busy getting everything ready.  The classrooms are painted, the backyard is mowed, the garden is prepped, and the supply rooms are filled to the brim!

As we sit here for a moment and reflect on the past 8 months, from the first day we announced the opening of Via Vita - the surprise and words of support we first received, the various tours and meetings with families, the open houses and community events.  We can recall each parent get together, the conversations, the excitement - it's humbling to realize that we have done it!  We have opened a school.  And not just any school, but a school that encompasses everything we believe education should be, together with a fantastic group of people. We've found amazing families who are on board and working with us to build a school we all dream of.  

A thank you is in order.

A BIG thank you.  

So please, let us offer our sincerest thanks to you. YOU are apart of those who supported us along the way.  The comments and words of advice, the messages, the emails, the look of genuine shock when you asked what we've been up to lately and we causally say, "well, we're opening a school."

The social media shares, the generous volunteers we've been so grateful to have, the time and effort put into every detail. The connections we've made this past year, the programmers working with us, the groups and organizations who are now connected with us for the long haul.  And mostly, those who are apart of this whether they signed up for it or not, but are no doubt our biggest supporters - our families and friends. We wouldn't be here, days away from opening our doors to families and students, without you and everything you've done  You have all played a key role in shaping this school. You have helped shape the foundation for what this school means.  Thank you. 

We hope you'll stick around to see what comes next. The journey continues now into the next chapter as students being to walk our halls and learning takes place at the forefront.  We are eager to get the year started!  We're sure you're interested to see what comes next!

This is what dreams are made of - moments like these. Thank you, thank you, everyone. 

We wish everyone a wonderful start to your new school year, near and far!  

​Let the school year begin!