Students at EHHS are ready to get their hands dirty. The school is preparing to open a recently-constructed greenhouse on campus, designed to support agricultural education, sustainability efforts, and hands-on science learning.

The project, which has been in development for over a year, was the vision of Principal Vincent DeNuzzo as far back as three years ago. Mrs. Heather Profetto remembers speaking about this topic when she was interviewing for her position at the school. She reports, “Mr. DeNuzzo asked if I would be interested in building a greenhouse and I told him I would love to…I just want everyone to embrace it.”

The outdoor garden from previous years was a great success, but CT weather limited the offerings and year-round sustainability. Mr. and Mrs. Profetto envisioned a greenhouse that would allow all EHHS students and faculty to access.

With the anticipated Certificate of Occupancy taking place on May 1st, there are big plans for the greenhouse, which can be looked at as a living classroom. The Profettos are excited to share the greenhouse with the EHHS community. It is a place where culinary and life skills students could combine to harvest herbs and vegetables. The art department can use flowers as subjects to painting/sketching, and photography. The science department uses the space for biology, environmental science, and nutrition.  Students can find the greenhouse a peaceful and tranquil space to meditate and appreciate nature, where clubs and groups can also utilize the space to hold meetings. Students enrolled in a variety of our Life Skills Special Education classes will be able to use the greenhouse work as part of their work program as well.

The greenhouse, accessible throughout the school year, can also host various fundraisers for school sports teams and clubs. Plans for a cutting garden and fruit and berry bushes are also in the works.

Once the Superintendent’s office was on board, the lengthy process of planning, negotiating, identifying a company that could build the type of greenhouse wanted, coordinating with the Town of East Haven, and seeking grant funding was in full effect. “A grant opportunity came through and we saw an opportunity to merge that opportunity with what the Profettos wanted for the greenhouse, so when we realized that was happening, the idea got bigger,” said Mrs. Lisa Veleas, Assistant Superintendent.

With the entire project funded by an FDA Grant, work was underway. The Connecticut School-Based Health Foundation provided the funding. Mrs. Veleas reports that “they are an organization that supports the creation and implementation of school-based health centers like the clinics we have on campus for health and behavioral health services.” The grant application focused on “how working in a greenhouse, working outside, planting, growing food, being around living plants is actually good not just for your physical health, but for mental health”.

There were many efforts to prepare the space for construction. The old playscape needed to be removed, the land leveled, electrical and plumbing preparation, and inspections by the Town. Successful collaboration between the town and school leadership has brought this dream to reality. Costing just over $86,000, the greenhouse will feature a climate control system, easy to access plumbing, growing stations, plant cultivation, and more. There are even bird houses, ready to host birds that will help with insect control.

Mrs. Veleas noted “Everyone who has seen it, wants to participate, it just keeps growing and growing and that is pretty cool.”