Benzie County Central Schools
SEEDS EcoSchool
at Betsie Valley Elementary School
Serving 10-20 students a day — Grades K-5
ROUTINE
Mon-Thurs from 4:00 to 6:30 pm – Mealtime at 5:40 pm
Lesson of the Day 4:45-5:40
Plus Outdoor Exploration/Recess and Homework Help
LOCAL EMPHASIS
STEM Challenges and Team-Building, Cooking and Baking,
Gardening, Hiking Trail on School Property
A monthly FAMILY FUN NIGHT
SITE COORDINATOR:
Elizabeth Clay
Elizabeth Clay
eclay@ecoseeds.org
ASST. SITE COORDINATOR:
Hester Harris
hharris@ecoseeds.org
School Address: 17936 Cadillac Hwy. Thompsonville MI
School Phone: 231.378.4164
Offered free to enrolled students thanks to support
from 21st Century Community Learning Centers
from 21st Century Community Learning Centers
SEEDS EcoSchool
at Benzie Central Middle School
Serving 20-25 students a day — Grades 6-8
ROUTINE
Mon-Thurs from 2:45 to 6:15pm – Mealtime at 3:30 pm
Lesson of the Day 4:20-5:30
Plus Homework Help – Literacy – Art – Life Skills
LOCAL EMPHASIS
Partnerships with
Crystal Mountain, Benzonia Public Library, and Master Gardeners Club;
Cooking and Gardening projects
A monthly FAMILY FUN NIGHT
BUS TRANSPORTATION is available.
MULTI-SITE COORDINATOR:
Molly Pavelek
Molly Pavelek
mpavelek@ecoseeds.org
231.632.2144
231.632.2144
School Address: 9300 Homestead Road, Benzonia MI
School Phone: 231.882.4498
Offered free to enrolled students thanks to support
from 21st Century Community Learning Centers
from 21st Century Community Learning Centers
SEEDS EcoSchool
at Benzie Central High School & Academy
Serving 10 to 15 students a day — Grades 9-12
ROUTINE
Mon-Thurs from 2:45 to 5:50pm – Mealtime at 5:15 pm
Lesson of the Day 3:45-5:15
Plus Homework Help, Reflection, Games, Self-care
LOCAL EMPHASIS
Utilizing Eco and STEAM (Science/Technology/Engineering/Art/Math) approaches
Field trips to Sleeping Bear Dunes Nat’l Lakeshore
Volunteer opportunities with community organizations
Partnership with Grow Benzie
A once per semester FAMILY FUN NIGHT
BUS TRANSPORTATION is available.
SITE SUPERVISOR:
Lindsay Wallin
Lindsay Wallin
lwallin@ecoseeds.org
907.687.6790
907.687.6790
School Address: 9300 Homestead Road, Benzonia MI
School Phone: 231.882.4498
Offered free to enrolled students thanks to support
from 21st Century Community Learning Centers
from 21st Century Community Learning Centers
Stories
“I would say that my time in SEEDS made me more successful in high school and helped make me the way I am today.”
“There’s a lot of working together at SEEDS. At first, I didn’t really know what to do while working on a team. Now I can really help, like when I’m in school and doing team projects. I think it will help me succeed in high school.”
We partnered with indigenous knowledge keepers to bring Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) lessons into SEEDS EcoSchool programs across rural Northern Michigan. Together, we created dynamic learning environments encouraging students to develop a deep respect for indigenous wisdom and a more profound connection to their own local place in the world.
