Jump starting plants for the Habitat for Humanity Store.  Delivery Date:  05/01/2014

Black History Month Bulletin Board

The students and staff at BRJD have been learning about different accomplishments and achievements of famous African Americans in all subjects.  The students and staff even created different examples for each subject area which the staff posted on the School's bulletin board.

Happy New Year: School is back in session

After a brief holiday break, classes have resumed for the 2013-2014 New Year.  The Post-D residents are discussing and preparing for the greenhouse in the spring.  Our first semester residents are sharing their knowledge and experience with the new and potential Post-D candidates to prepare them for the program and the greenhouse activities.

Tis The Season

The Post-D residents are getting ready to decorate for the Holiday season.  They will be adding their own special touch to the center to help put everyone in the Holiday spirit.

OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Certification

The BRJD Post- D residents just completed the OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Certification course.  Each resident will receive an OSHA certification card to use when applying for and working at certain jobs.  The residents are very proud of their accomplishments and look forward to using this new certification when looking at future career options.

Another mural on its way!

The Post- D residents are going to plan and create a new mural in the BRJD hallways this month.  The rumor is that this mural will involve a city skyline.  Stay tuned to this blog for updates and pictures of the progress. 
  

               

More DJ White

Here are some pictures from DJ Charlie White's recent visit.  Students were treated to a demonstration and then allowed to try the mix station for themselves.  Some of our braver residents came up and gave it a spin.

BRJD Guest Speakers

This past month, the students at BRJD were treated to talks by several guest speakers.  The first speaker was, Brooklyn-based artist and graphic novelist, Laura Lee Gulledge.  She spoke about her first graphic novel, Page by Paige, and followed with a more in depth discussion about her new graphic novel, Will & Whit, which is set in Charlottesville.  Gulledge was followed by Virginia  
 
novelist Jessica O’Gorek.  O’Gorek spoke about her Native American heritage and conservation beliefs, and how these things influenced her writing the Gemini Novel Series.  Both authors stuck around and answered questions about their writings and careers. 

                The following day, the residents of BRJD were treated to a talk and hands-on experience by DJ, Charlie White.  He spoke about job, the training and experience needed, and the local and national music industry.  After a brief talk and demonstration by, the residents had the opportunity to select songs and showcase their own DJ and mixing table skills.

                Everyone at BRJD would like to thank our speakers for donating their time and giving us each a glimpse at new and different experiences and career possibilities.

2013 BRJD Summer Harvest

Our greenhouse and raised growing beds helped provide this colorful harvest.  Many residents, staff, and parents have enjoyed the fruits (and vegetables) of the residents' labor.  The harvest includes many types of tomatoes, and peppers, squash, cucumbers, beans, and gourds.

Plants from the greenhouse

Many of our plants have already left the facility to go to places like Habitat for Humanity.  Some plants are out in the raised beds.  Some plants have gone home with residents, parents, teachers, and center staff.  We had a lot of options this year including several types of cilantro, basil, peppers, and herbs.  Pictured are Thai Basil, Chocolate Beauty Peppers, and Confetti Cilantro, .

New Structures in the Greenhouse

The following was written by Post-D Resident D. to help describe what is shown in the pictures.  Resident D.was directly resposible for the bulk of the work shown:

"We built a frame in between each raised bed, then put netting on (each of the frames) so that the beans, plants, or flowers could grow onto the netting.  This was done to offer support to the plant and so (each plant) could hang down and add some beauty."

Planning our Greenhouse planting

As the students (and staff) choose and sort the seeds for our next greenhouse season, several residents have researched the types of plants they all will be working with this next year.  Here is the first of several student paragraphs including researched information about one of the new plants:

Sunflowers by Resident S.


The sunflower is an annual plant native to the Americas.  It is named after its big, hairy blooms that make it look like the sun.  The head of the sunflower consists of many individual flowers that turn into seeds.  One sunflower can often make more than 100 edible seeds itself.

Weather Station Webpage

Check out the local weather conditions right here on our greenhouse blog.  This new link will send you all to our new weather station page.

Weather Station URL -

http://www.weatherlink.com/user/brjdc

Holiday Decorations

Our Christmas trees and decorations are up, and the bulletin board explaining the many holidays of this season is on display.  As we all continue to grow and learn here, we must all stop and reflect what we are thankful for this year.  While it may not have been the easiest year for some, we still look for the positives.

Being Fathers!!

It's that time again at BRJD.  For the next two weeks, all Post-D residents will be fathers.  Using the Real Care Baby simulators, our Post-D boys will experience traveling with and caring for infant children.  While everyone is excited, they also admit to being a little nervous and scared.  These babies need constant care and attention including diaper changes, feedings, burping, and rocking.

Peppers, Tomatoes, and Beans

This month the Post-D residents are harvesting the last of our peppers, tomatoes, and beans before the frost. Some even tasted the fruits (or veggies) of their labor.  A few unlucky folks chose to try some spicy peppers.  Needless to say, the water hose was used for more than watering plants this month.

2012 Enrichment

During enrichment, the residents enjoyed learning about air density (making and flying hot air balloons), and endothermic processes (making ice-cream in bag).

It's all growing

Take a look at our flowers, sunflowers, and plants growing in the raised beds here at BRJD.

The garlic has been harvested

Our Post-D residents begin pulling the garlic out of the ground last week.  Now the garlic cloves are drying out and getting ready to be handed out to staff, friends, and visitors.  In the meantime, don't bring any vampires to visit BRJD because the room housing the picked garlic and hallway near the room smell strongly of garlic!! 

Goodies in the Lobby!

The harvest has begun.  The greenhouse and garden are begining to yield the fruits (and veggies) of the Post- D students labor.  We are starting to see these trays of goodies in the lobby of the center.