Indigo’s Kristi Porter Memorial Garden Continues to Bloom Thanks to Cub Scout Troop #263!

The Kristi Porter Memorial Garden continues to bloom and look beautiful due to recent work done by Cub Scout Troop # 263. Three of our second grade boys led their troop in weeding and planting additional colorful flowers.

Have you been asking yourself “What is the Kristi Porter Garden?”, or “Who was Kristi Porter and why do we have a garden named after her?” Kristi Porter was a dedicated member of the Oak Grove School District Board of Trustees for 10 years when she tragically passed away in early 2006. She was one of Indigo’s biggest supporters. She was passionate about education, an avid supporter of alternative education and school choice, and served the Oak Grove community tirelessly. Kristi worked hard for Indigo; she toured other similar programs, attended our first Parent Orientation and Open House, and continued to be a presence and offer assistance in our early stages. Her contribution to the program was appreciated and her presence is greatly missed. For these reasons, Indigo PTA decided to create a garden in her memory.

Some of the newest stepping stones bordering the garden.

In the fall of 2006, when many Indigo parents felt the need to do something special to remember this important member of the community after her passing, plans began to take shape for a garden. On June 16th, 2007, the Indigo community began planting the garden to commemorate Kristi Porter. In addition to the original installation of the garden, Indigo parent and student volunteers continue to water, weed, and maintain the garden.

Indigo PTA’s Kristi Porter Memorial Garden Committee, Jen P., Cydney A. and Wendy C. administered and gave life to the project. The district committed resources with Bruce M. from MOT as the very helpful and supportive liaison from the district. San Jose Beautiful awarded Indigo a generous grant for the project. Many Indigo families attended a work party to install the garden in June 2007, working with the competent and ever-cheerful district gardener, Jemal A. Many more Indigo families committed to visit the garden during its first summer to keep it well watered.

Almost every Indigo student (as well as quite a few future Indigo students) decorated a personalized border stone for the garden when it was installed and additional stones were just placed at the recent School Beautification Day. The current Kindergarten class plans to make its contribution to the stones bordering the garden in the next couple of weeks.

Please take a moment to stop and think of Kristi Porter and her significant contribution to Indigo and the Oak Grove educational community as you enjoy the beauty of the garden. Cheers Kristi and thank you to Cub Scout Troop #263!


Jen P., Memorial Garden Committee Member, created this beautiful plaque to finalize the memorial garden. Jen contributed significantly to the project by obtaining the grant and handling much of the actual physical work herself.


Marianne B. helped plant fresh plants in the garden this year just prior to Indigo’s open house events.


Two students acted as onsite supervisors for much of the work. Here they are inspecting a hole prior to planting!