Students in Carroll Gardens received a surprise visit from New York City Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter this morning, just over a week into the Department of Education's Summer Rising program.

Councilmember Brad Lander joined the chancellor at the Brooklyn New School, where they were able to take a look at the school's farming curriculum.

Many of the first grade students participating in the program have been learning all of the ins-and-outs of working on a farm, from gardening to taking care of chickens in the school's very own chicken coop.

"This is exactly what we wanted young people to have this summer," Porter says.

Staff tell News 12 that the program had a rocky start, but that they are all looking forward to the upcoming school year.

"The energy that comes with having a buzzing school we've absolutely missed," says Malika Johnson Willis, a staff member of the Brooklyn New School.

For those concerned about safety, the chancellor says that the Department of Education is closely monitoring guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"We're doing open houses across the city, we want them to come in, see our buildings are safe," she says.

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Porter announced the Summer Rising program in April this year. The program is free for all elementary through high school students and is meant to ensure students continue their education and offset any setbacks caused by the pandemic.