THERE IS SO MUCH TO CELEBRATE THIS FALL AT COMMON GROUND | | |
A NEW SCHOOL YEAR IS UNDERWAY, AND OUR CAMPUS IS TEEMING WITH EXCITEMENT!
The joy of having students fill our classrooms once again and with the return of Feast from the Fields, autumn is already off to an amazing start. This season, there is so much goodness taking root: our farm is thriving (and needs your help!), our team is expanding, and we are already booking school field trips.
Thank you for supporting our high school, children's programs, and urban farm and we hope you enjoy this month's newsletter.
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CAMPUS TOURS
At Common Ground, we know that our work is only possible because of dedicated supporters like you. As we look toward an exciting new chapter, we want to bring you closer to the heart of what we do—and hear directly from you about why our mission matters.
Date: Every third Thursday of the month*
*Subject to change due to scheduling conflicts.
Time: 1 pm
Location: Common Ground (358 Springside Ave. New Haven, CT )
Details: Please join us on campus for a tour and a talkback hosted by our Executive Director and Development and Communications team. Come and see what makes Common Ground so special and speak with our students and staff. Depending on the day you may see some of our livestock, folks working on the farm, students enjoying the forest or a public school visiting us for a field trip, and much more.
Please RSVP so we can know to expect you.
| | A Message from our
Urban Farm | | |
VOLUNTEER ON THE FARM!
It's Fall and we need your help taking care of our animals and transitioning the farm from summer mode (weeding, pulling out summer crops, wood chipping pathways). Volunteer hours are generally
11 am -1pm on Saturdays in October and November.
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FARM AND GARDEN CONFERENCE
Join us for the annual Common Ground Farm and Garden Conference November 7, 2026.
Save the Date for a full day of hands on workshops open to ALL!
We cant wait to gather with you to share knowledge, seeds and ideas around growing food, eating food, and learning in outside spaces. Workshops in english and spanish on urban farming, food justice, mushrooms, garden education, herbal medicine, cooking, kids track and much, much more!
| | A Message from our Children's Programs | | |
FARM AND FOREST ADVENTURES FOR YOUR STUDENTS: SCHEDULE A FIELD TRIP
Our field trip programs for students in preschool through 8th grade take advantage of seasonal events on the farm and in the forest to provide hands-on learning experiences that support curricular goals.
Dig for worms and smell herbs in the children’s garden. Visit the animal yards and meet friendly chickens, ducks, turkeys, goats, and sheep. Use your senses to explore the forest. Learn about our wetland ecosystem. Make Harvest Pizza or go on a hike in West Rock Park.
OR try one of our traveling field trips!
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REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE KIDS UNPLUGGED
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
Play in nature after school!
Kids Unplugged gets children playing outside in nature after school. We will have campfires, care for farm animals, build forts, cook with food from the farm, hike, play games, and make friends.
We meet for the whole school year, so our adventures include the fall harvest on the farm, winter snow play and snow shoeing, making maple syrup, and welcoming spring with mud, baby farm animals, and tadpoles in the wetland!
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SEEDLINGS CLASS REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Join us for weekly explorations in nature, including music and movement, stories, and hands-on fun on the farm and in the forest.
The Seedlings Class is for children ages infant - 4 with a caregiver. Each class starts with a short, open-ended play period while all of our friends are arriving. After that we will do some seasonal farm chores – feeding animals, watering in the garden, or anything else that our youngest friends can help with. After farm chores, we will enjoy a seasonally themed activity. Activities include meeting farm animals, walking in the woods, digging in the mud kitchen, tasting and smelling in the children’s garden, looking and listening at the wetland, and more!
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OPEN FARM DAY
Common Ground hosts free, self-guided campus exploration every Saturday from 10 AM -2 PM.
April throught November.
Open Farm Day is self guided and no RSVP is needed. Come visit the animals, explore the garden, dig in the mud kitchen, build a fort in the woods, and take a walk on the trails.
Open Farm Day is an easy weekend outing for families! Staff hosts are on campus, there is ample on campus parking, bathrooms are available, and we have shady spots to enjoy some snacks or a picnic lunch.
More information can be found HERE!
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A Message from our
High School
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JOIN OUR LATE LOTTERY WAITLIST
Common Ground High School is three short sweet weeks into the school year, and already ...
- AP Environmental Science students have already taken on three labs out in the field -- on island biogeography, natural selection, and population dynamics.
- Ninth grade English students are building skills for powerful, engaging descriptive writing out on our farm.
- Early College Shakespeare actors have chosen and started rehearsals for the play they'll perform in this year's Youth Shakespeare Festival -- we'll let you in on the secret soon!
- Outdoor Leadership have already been out on their first full-day hike to the top of Sleeping Giant.
- Nine Green Jobs Corps members have already started work with the Urban Resources Initiative planting trees across our city, another half dozen are at work helping to lead our Kids Unplugged after-school programs, and 12 more will start jobs next week!
- Our after-school student ambassadors are gearing up for the launch of programs next week -- from Cooking Club, to Anime & Gaming, to Wetland Crew, to Fashion.
- Seniors are polishing the college essays they wrote in Junior Seminar, and dozens of students are visiting colleges in Providence and a college fair in Bridgeport this week.
Do you know a young person who might want to join this community of POWERful learners and leaders? Families can still join our late lottery for 2026-27 in case a space opens up this year, or fill out an interest form to get information about open houses for 2027-28!
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Join us on Saturday, October 24 from 10 am - 2 pm, for a family friendly Fall event.
Our farm animals will be waiting to greet you and campus is open for you to explore.
This is a FREE event and all activities are outdoors.
What to Expect
★ S’mores and other snacks
★ Kids’ activities
★ Visit the farm animals
★ Mix and measure in the mud kitchen
★ Dig in the sand pit
★ And much more
| HOLIDAY BAZAAR AND WREATH MAKING | | |
Join us on Saturday, December 5, 2026 for our annual Holiday Bazaar and Wreath Making event.
We're so excited to bring back this community event and to celebrate the holiday season with you.
Campus is open for you to explore!
All activities are indoors.
What to Expect
★ Wreath making (for the 27th year!)
★ 30+ Local artisans & craft vendors
★ Kids holiday activities
★ Food trucks & a bake sale
★ Raffles & MORE!
Come and enjoy! Do some holiday shopping, make a wreath, have some lunch, and take a treat home for dessert.
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Thank you for being the heart of our community.
Your support means so much to us.
We hope to see you on campus soon!
We’ll be back in your inbox in November!
With gratitude,
The Common Ground Team
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Our Mission: Common Ground is a center for learning and leadership, inviting people across ages and identities to connect to their urban environment, build community, grow into their full potential, and contribute to a just and sustainable world. Thanks for being part of our work.
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Common Ground
Attn: Briona Jenkins
358 Springside Avenue
New Haven, CT 06515
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