Greenhouse at the Day School

Greenhouse is a ‘toasty, green’ spot in the winter

The greenhouse and attached classroom were formally opened in time for the spring season in 2007.

MILFORD – For many years, Boys & Girls Village Day School staff had wanted a greenhouse. In addition to being a great way to show students how plants grow and to tie their experiences into the existing science and environmental studies curriculums, it was a warm place to be in the winter.

And it certainly gets "toasty" inside the framed horticultural and plant science greenhouse and attached classroom located on the Milford, CT, campus of Boys & Girls Village.

Serving children in the Hayden Day School, Kids I.N.N. home, Safe Haven home and Extended Day programs, the greenhouse has been instrumental in bringing students and clients closer to nature,  providing a hands-on horticultural experience in a classroom setting that few schools can compare.

Director of Education Catherine Murphy-Brooks presents a special framed piece of art created by the Hayden Day School students to members of the Werth Family in May 2007 inside the attached classroom to the greenhouse.

“Many of our students and clients from other programs have never seen a greenhouse, nevermind be in one or work in one,” said Catherine Murphy-Brooks, director of education at the Charles F. Hayden School at Boys & Girls Village. “It is special for children to observe a plant grow and thrive from a tiny seed, along with a little soil, water and sun.”

Many thanks to the Werth Family Foundation, the Frederick P. DeLuca Foundation (Subway), the Milford Oyster Festival Committee, the Regional Water Authority, the Hoffman Foundation and the Daphne Seybolt Culpeper Foundation for grants supporting the greenhouse and attached classroom construction.

The facility was dedicated in May 2007 in honor of the Werth Family Foundation, which was the major funder for the greenhouse and attached classroom space.

Suzanne Werth, a member of the Werth Family Foundation stands near the dedication plaque, which hangs in the classroom.