Whether it’s fruit trees, pollinator plants, seeds, soil, pots, raised beds, or a Tower Garden, Step Up for Students will reimburse these wonderful items when used in your child’s education!
FOLLOW MULTIPLES RULE
It’s important to remember that, as of 2024, there is now a ‘multiples rule’. If you purchase multiples of any item priced individually at $50 or more, you will need to submit a preauthorization first.
USE COMMON SENSE
In the past, when parents have made purchases that were obviously meant for farming or community gardening, these purchases were denied and Step Up for Students (SUFS) imposed (or attempted to impose) limits on garden purchases. Use your funds for a child’s educational garden and not to feed the neighborhood.
READ THE PARENT HANDBOOK
These are a few of the things on the 'prohibited list that you will want to avoid buying':
• Live animals
• Gas or electric-powered gardening tools
• Ornamental plants (shrubs, landscaping, houseplants). Please note: this does not include seeds, seedlings, or fruit/vegetable/herb plants which are eligible expenses
• Commercial-grade tools/equipment
• Blades or knives or items with blades or knives (with the exception of scissors, math tools, or some cooking equipment)
SUBMIT CORRECTLY & WITH AN EBF
Submit your receipt in the “old”
Legacy System or the “new” EMA :
Instructional Materials
➡️ Elective Supplies
➡️ Garden Supplies
✅Complete and upload the Educational Benefits Form.
Use SIMPLE language. Less is more. SUFS employees are not educators; if you provide too much information, they will escalate it or possibly deny it.
Appropriate wording includes:
“Vegetable seeds for my child to plant in his garden.”
"Raised beds for my child's garden."
“Fruit tree for my child’s garden.”
Reference the curriculum you are using:
Gardening for Grades is perfect elementary and middle school students. For teens, use Stemming Up GardeningYou can also search through the database of hundreds of lessons to find an appropriate lesson.
🌸🌼Submitting wildflowers? Wild About Wildflowers is a perfect curriculum to use with your child!
CONSIDER A TOWER GARDEN!
Tower Gardens are the perfect educational garden for your school! With an included curriculum, no weeding, and the ability to withstand our extreme heat, they make gardening easy and fun!
For help on submitting an indoor or outdoor Tower Garden, reach out to Leah directly. Click HERE and scroll down to the bottom to fill out the form. She will assist you in purchasing, submitting for reimbursement, and growing your garden!
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