OUTDOOR CLASSROOM, PERVIOUS WALKWAY RESTORATION, EDUCATIONAL MODELS, AND SIGNAGE
OUTDOOR CLASSROOM:
It is very important for kids to get outside more often. Today, we have so much technology (computers, video games, etc.) that kids sometimes spend their entire day inside. John Henley, a writer for Guardian.Co states that "The distance our kids stray from home on their own has shrunk by 90% since the 70s; 43% of adults think a child shouldn't play outdoors unsupervised until the age of 14. More children are now admitted to British hospitals for injuries incurred falling out of bed than falling out of trees." This should change. Getting kids outside can improve their grades. Breathing in the fresh air increases your oxygen, and blood flow to your brain, allowing kids to think better and do better in school. Going outside is extremely beneficial, and this outdoor classroom will help kids do better overall and will connect them to their environment. *WBS
"I'm so excited that our school has a classroom outside for everyone!" Ashley Park (student)
Location: First, students had to find a good location that wasn't in the middle of an emergency evacuation route. Students also wanted the area to require us to remove sod for the tables so that we could decrease the amount of grass that we needed to mow. *WBS
The Vision: Once a spot was located, students worked with our parent volunteer, Mr. Redman, to design an outdoor classroom with 4 tables. Student artist, John Lee, drew this picture so that students could see what our project was going to be like.
The Design: Students measured the area and drew up a plan for the tables and the nearby butterfly garden. The plan had to be specific in order to be approved by our groundskeeper, Mr. Connor. Students worked with Mr. Redman and Mr. Connor to make sure that their plan would be successful.
Here, the plan is viewed looking south, opposite of our other pictures which all face north.
Our location allows for future expansion of our classroom. Next year's students can add new gardens and environmental learning stations.
Here, the plan is viewed looking south, opposite of our other pictures which all face north.
Our location allows for future expansion of our classroom. Next year's students can add new gardens and environmental learning stations.
Approval and Sod Removal: Finally, Mr. Connor approved our plans and removed the sod.
Raising Money: Students organized several fundraisers to be able to purchase our tables. They sold bands and gift bags, exchanged recyclables for cash, and collected donations from students. Finally we could order the tables!
(Here a student is wearing one of our wristbands made from recycled silicone.)
(Here a student is wearing one of our wristbands made from recycled silicone.)
The Tables Arrive: The tables arrived as kits that needed to be assembled. They are made from 75% recycled plastic and are so
eco-friendly that they can be recycled themselves!
Construction Day: Under the guidance of Mr. Redman, 5 parent volunteers and 12 students stayed after school to construct the tables. We were lucky to have great weather and a motivated crew! All 4 tables were unpacked, built, and bolted to the ground in one very busy afternoon.
The construction day was organized by a student committee that provided refreshments. Student volunteers included representatives from the original classroom design committee, our MVMS student government, the environmental education pilot course, and the environmental club.
The construction day was organized by a student committee that provided refreshments. Student volunteers included representatives from the original classroom design committee, our MVMS student government, the environmental education pilot course, and the environmental club.
Installation: After the tables were assembled, they were moved to the area that students will sit in the classroom.
Mulching: Now teachers can reserve our outdoor classroom just like they sign up for the computer lab. The sign up is even accessible from teachers' home computers, so the race to sign up after the evening weather report is expected to be competitive later this spring!
"I can't wait to get outside with my classes this spring!" Mrs. Cutsail
"I can't wait to get outside with my classes this spring!" Mrs. Cutsail
PERVIOUS WALKWAY RESTORATION:
A pervious walkway on our school property was designed to limit runoff and allow rain to seep into the ground instead of rushing over the walkway. Over the years, however, the gravel in the open areas of the concrete has been compacted to the point that it is no longer permeable. With the help of our school partner, Rhine Landscaping, students are digging out the compacted earth and replacing it with loose gravel donated by Rhine. This project will take several years to complete, but great progress was made this first year when over 60 students helped pull out the weeds and loosen the soil during our Green Field Day.
ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNS AND MODELS:
Several student committees at Mount View have designed environmental models that demonstrate and teach the environmental principles modeled by our school's best management practices. These models are created to appeal to audiences of all ages and to particularly engage future incoming classes of students. They demonstrate features of LEED buildings and educate viewers about the benefits of our schoolyard gardens. Our models are used for school events like our Enrichment Fair and our 6th grade orientation activities, and are on display the rest of the school year. They help us communicate our environmental vision to our school community.
EDUCATIONAL SIGNS and POWER POINT:
A student committee worked to create outdoor signs called "Mount View Green Moments." These signs are posted at the green features of our school and explain why and how our outdoor classroom, pervious walkway, butterfly garden, native plant garden, and water feature positively impact our environment. These features are also included on a power point that is shown to 6th graders each fall. As we add new gardens and structures to our school, we will be able to update our power point and add new signs in order to invite our students and the whole school community to tour the environmental management practices that we have modeled on our school grounds.