HERKIMER — Students in Herkimer Jr./Sr. High School art teacher Heather McCutcheon’s social emotional artistic learning class recently created custom planters for teachers’ classrooms and are growing plants in them.

The students were challenged to create a planter for the classroom of a teacher that they’re friendly and comfortable with at the school. The students asked the teachers for permission to leave a plant in their classrooms for the rest of the school year, and then they used either clay or a 3D printer to make a planter.

“Most chose something the teacher liked – such as a cat design for Ms. LaLonde’s room or a tank for Mr. Sheldon’s room,” McCutcheon said. “These pieces were all unique.”

The social emotional artistic learning students potted the plants in the planters using clippings they received from agriculture teacher Talia Baker’s class, from a fellow student and from McCutcheon’s family. Students watched the clippings grow roots, McCutcheon said.

“Now that the pieces are done and the plants have roots, they have found some new homes throughout the school,” she said. “Students will check in once a week with the teacher to water the plant and grow the student/teacher relationship.”