More than 200 parents and students learned about tending a vegetable garden and maintaining a chicken coop at CS 211, a community school in the Tremont section of the Bronx. Staff members hope the May 14 Parent Engagement Night event will lead to bigger things for the students and their families. “We’re trying to make the garden part of the community and make it a model for community schools,” said science teacher Jason Godlewicz. Parents who help take care of the more than 20 planting beds will get to take home produce — including lettuce, cilantro, peppers, corn and tomatoes. Those who help maintain the coop where nine chickens roost will get to take home eggs. The evening introduced parents to community-supported agriculture, which establishes relationships between local farmers and residents. As a site for the group, families from the Bronx school will have a direct source of produce from New Jersey farmer Sergio Nolasco, who supplies farmers’ markets throughout the city. To participate, families purchase produce directly from the farmer. “You’re supporting a local farmer, learning where food comes from, and eating locally produced vegetables,” Godlewicz said. Nolasco was at the event to show parents how to maintain the chicken coop. “The parents came in two shifts, but many were so involved they stayed for the whole two hours,” said science teacher Martha Johnson. Parents also learned about nutrition, technology and helping their child learn at home. Parent coordinator Virginia Menendez helped translate for many of the Spanish-speaking parents. “My hope is that parents will promote literacy at home,” said Menendez. “Even when you’re shopping or washing or walking together, you’re doing math and reading.”