A Sloat Parent is fundraising
Save the School Garden Program at Commodore Sloat
On April 25, 2025, deep spending cuts were made to a program that has brought hands-on science and garden education to San Francisco public schools for over a decade. This decision abruptly eliminated critical funding for 29 dedicated garden educators, including our beloved Mr. Raphael at Commodore Sloat Elementary School. Together those gardening instructors taught over 10,000 students across SFUSD.
Garden education builds healthier kids, stronger academics, resilient communities, and future environmental stewards. Many of our students call gardening class their favorite part of the week.
Who Is Mr. Raphael?
Mr. Raphael is more than an instructor—he is a cornerstone of our school community. His role reaches beyond academics: he plants seeds of scientific curiosity, nurtures gardening skills, and cultivates a love for nature within the hearts of more than 380 students across 16 classes (grades K–5) each week.
His lessons are immersive and unforgettable. Students discover how fruits and vegetables grow from seed to harvest, explore the critical role of pollinators, and prepare simple meals using ingredients they've grown with their own hands.
Last year Mr. Raphael introduced chickens to the garden program—delighting students with weekly egg collections and real-life lessons in animal care. He also planted dozens of California native plants, teaching students how the Ohlone people traditionally used them for food, fiber, and household products. His work bridges cultures, science, and sustainability—making learning come alive.
Why This Program Matters
- Equity & Access: At Commodore Sloat, 79% of students are non-white and 52% come from low-income households. For many, this program is their first and only opportunity to grow, harvest, and taste fresh, healthy food.
- Skills for Life: Through hands-on activities, students learn how to plant, compost, manage a garden, and engage with their community. Our student-run farmer’s market is just one example of how this learning becomes leadership.
- Academic Enrichment: The curriculum aligns with Next Generation Science Standards and enriches students' understanding of science, math, nutrition, and ecoliteracy—all in the dynamic setting of an outdoor classroom.
How You Can Help
We have the option of bringing Mr. Raphael back next year as a contracted instructor. But to do that, we must raise the funds previously covered by external sources.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our school families, we have already raised $25,000 specifically for the school garden program. We now need to raise an additional $20,000 to fully fund the program (and keep Mr. Raphael) for the 2025-2026 school year.
Every donation—no matter the size—brings us closer to sustaining this vital program and ensuring that every child at Commodore Sloat continues to learn, grow, and thrive in the garden classroom.
For more, read our most recent Garden Chronicles.
Please check with your employer to see if they will match a charitable contribution made through GoFundMe. You can also write a check made payable to Commodore Sloat School Fund (write "Garden Program" in the notes) and send it to the school.
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