Open House Today for Jacobs High School Greenhouse

What: Green Eagles Greenhouse Grand Re-Opening/ Open House

When: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 22

Where: Jacobs High School, 2601 Bunker Hill, Algonquin

Who: Open to the public

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Most people don't realize Jacobs High School was built in 1976 with a greenhouse. The glass pane archway over the main entrance is not merely an aesthetic feature. 

The glass panes comprise the roof and sides of the greenhouse located above a second-story science classroom. The greenhouse essentially is a third level room, overlooking the school roof at 2601 Bunker Hill, Algonquin.

"The greenhouse was built in 1976, and hasn't been used since 1979," said Terry Stroh, head of Jacobs science division. "Since then, it's basically been used for storage."

For the past couple years, members of the school's environmental club, the Green Eagles, have wanted to dig their hands into a worthy project. Last fall, they planted flowers in the front of the school.

Then along came Mr. Stroh, the newly hired science division head who saw the greenhouse and immediately began brainstorming with environmental science teacher Bob Frazier and Green Eagles supervisor Sarah Kapitan about how to refurbish the room and put it to constructive use.

Stroh wrote a 21-page grant request to the D300 Foundation outlining what needed to be done to restore the greenhouse and make it functional.

D300 Foundation Grant Makes Greenhouse Project Possible

Just weeks ago, the Jacobs teachers and Green Eagles learned they would receive that grant, nearly $5,000 for their project.

On March 8, the teachers and students got to work removing all boxes, equipment and items stored in the greenhouse. Once empty, they brightened it with a fresh coat of paint - many students and teachers painted during the spring break vacation.

The Green Eagles decided they wanted a mural and enlisted the help of student Gabbie Navarro and her mother, Keren, for that task. Farm 'N Fleet donated a 50-gallon rain barrel, which the teachers placed on the roof adjacent to the greenhouse. It serves as an eco friendly means to water the plants, Stroh said.

The Green Eagles and teachers used the grant money to buy greenhouse tables and hydroponics growing equipment, which shows students how to grow plants in areas of low precipitation. They also purchased a cloning maching that enables them to make seedings from branches and small plant pieces.

Frazier's students have generoulsy brought in "garbage" food items for compost bins to be used to enrich the planter soil. On order are much-needed window shades so teachers and students can control the heat and sunlight throughout the year in the greenhouse.

"In the summer it gets up to 120 degrees in here," Stroh said. "The shades will allow us to block 40 to 60 percent of the sunlight, and adjust as needed."

Joining Forces with Algonquin-LITH Interfaith Food Pantry

After the Green Eagles received the grant award, members of the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry Board quickly heard about Jacob's greenhouse re-opening plans and proposed a cooperative project that would give students a hands-on experience growing plants and an opportunity to help the community.

The Green Eagles were happy to partake - they would plant and tend to seeds that would be used in the food pantry garden as soon as the weather warmed.

"I gave the Jacobs students seed packets, and I told them to plant them all," said Laurie Selpien, with a laugh. Selpien is the food pantry's master gardener. "I wasn't sure how the plants would do - I know it's really hot in there."

The students planted Selpien's tomato and tomatillo seeds, along with seeds for several other vegetables.

The results (in just a few short weeks): More than 400 healthy seedlings waiting to be transplanted to the food pantry garden at 1113 Pyott Road in Lake in the Hills. The students will have the opportunity to plant the seedlings as soon as the weather permits.

Future plans call for adding one more hydroponics table, and a few teachers would like to see a tree or two added to the greenhouse, Stroh said. The room will be used for laboratory projects for two advanced placement and three environmental science classes.

This summer, the greenhouse will be utilized as a research area for summer school classes.

"None of this would have been possible without the kids and the D300 Foundation," Stroh said.

In the meantime, the public is invited to see the renovated facility: 

Green Eagles Greenhouse Grand Re-Opening/ Open House

4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 22

Jacobs High School, 2601 Bunker Hill, Algonquin

The gathering is being held as part of Jacob's Earth Day celebration. Scheduled events include a ribbon cutting ceremony, tours and demonstrations of the educational and community service opportunities the newly renovated greenhouse will support.