A New York City preschool is reeling after discovering that a garden they have fostered with care had been vandalised. Mis Amiguitos Montessori, located on the Upper East Side, had been nurturing a corn garden as part of its educational activities, only to find the plants mutilated and thrown in the rubbish.
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Mily Caballero, the CEO of Mis Amiguitos Montessori, expressed disappointment over the incident, stating that the children were “extremely saddened” by the actions of the perpetrator. Despite their grief, she noted that the students take comfort in the overwhelming support from the community. In an Instagram post, the school described the destruction as “the final straw” amid ongoing challenges with maintaining their garden.
The school community had dedicated time and effort to cultivate the garden over the years, transforming what was once a neglected space into a vibrant area where children could witness the fruits of their labour. Previously, the school had tended to a tree bed, but when a delivery truck uprooted the shade tree, they decided to utilise the empty area for growing various plants including pumpkins, sunflowers, and, most recently, corn.
However, this year, issues began to escalate. Mis Amiguitos Montessori reported spending over £1,000 on protective measures for the garden after experiencing incidents of damage, such as barriers disappearing overnight and flowers being trampled. The vandalism reached a peak when the corn stalks, described as “tall and beautiful” prior to the incident, were found destroyed.
In a heartfelt message posted in the garden following the damage, the school addressed neighbours, explaining the importance of the plants to the children. “They worked so hard on this garden and took care of it with so much love,” the sign stated, emphasising the emotional toll the vandalism has had on the children.
Following the incident, Caballero promptly contacted the police to report the vandalism. According to her, security footage may provide insight into the incident but access has been complicated; building management has stipulated that the police must retrieve the footage in person. This has left the school waiting for further action despite having received no prior warnings from any city agency regarding the legality of their garden setup.
Mis Amiguitos Montessori has faced issues with garden-related vandalism in the past, but this recent act has spurred the institution to seek help from the local community. The school has called upon its Yorkville neighbours to share information about the incident and raise awareness about the significance of the garden to the children.
Caballero remains determined not to let the vandalism deter their spirit. She affirmed that the school plans to continue its gardening activities, with the prospect of replanting corn or potentially introducing cempasúchil flowers, often used for Día de los Muertos, as a future project.
“Our children deserve to learn, grow, and be happy in a safe and caring environment,” she stated, encapsulating the ethos of the school. In a message to the community, Mis Amiguitos Montessori extended gratitude to those who supported their little garden, reinforcing their commitment to nurturing life in their neighbourhood.
As the school navigates through this setback, they are rallying community support and remain hopeful about the future of their cherished garden. “This won’t stop us!” Caballero declared, expressing optimism that the children can once again engage in the joys of gardening and learning.
The New York City Police Department and NYC Parks have been contacted for comments regarding the incident, as Mis Amiguitos Montessori continues to seek answers and support for their educational green space.