Somerset Elementary School eyes outdoor classroom

Somerset Elementary is setting its sights on the fall for the opening of its first-ever outdoor classroom.

Grade 3/4 teacher Sharon Anderson of the Kinkora based school has a vision for the new space.

“I want to see a gazebo with a covered roof, so it can be used when it’s raining or really hot out,” said Anderson.

“The kids are very excited. We’re all excited.”

Her class recently won a contest for spreading awareness about hemophilia and they are putting the prize money towards the project.

“We gave the money to the playground committee and they are the ones taking on the project,” said Anderson.

A member of the Somerset community playground committee, Patricia McKenna, said they are still at the drawing board.

“We still need to define what we want,” said McKenna.

The committee consists of four members who led the campaign for new playground equipment for the school about a decade ago. “It’s nice to see everyone from babies to high school kids use it,” said McKenna.

Over the years, the committee has done lots of work form replacing basketball nets and adding benches to painting pavement games one year. She hopes to do the same for the outdoor classroom.

“I want the children to take advantage of it,” said McKenna. She added that some fundraising would probably have to be done to cover all the costs.

Although nothing is set in stone yet, McKenna has a spot in mind where she would like to see it set up.