Learning in the great outdoors.
School’s natural learning grounds more than just ‘crazy hippie talk’
Having math class under a blue sky is officially an option at Norwood School.
With only a few days left in the school year, more than 100 students, parents, teachers and supporters congregated on school grounds under the blazing sun on Monday for the grand opening of outdoor classrooms.
Around the grounds, large rocks and grass act as seating for the students. The natural learning grounds, as the area is called, also includes dozens of trees and shrubs, many of which were donated. A medicine wheel sits across the grounds from the school, and there is a small, fencedin garden near the school doors that students tend.
“Spaces like these don’t just happen, they don’t just appear. It takes dreamers to go, ‘Hey, what if we did this?’ And it takes a whole bunch of hard workers,” said principal Joanne Wynn.
The project has been four years in the making, and students shouldered much of the burden — digging, weeding and transporting supplies around the yard.
“We want them to foster a love of it, and a big part of it is the stewardship; this is a way for them to be empowered,” Wynn said.
Students such as sixthgrader Megan Gallagher, 12, had positive things to say about the project.
“It gives us an opportunity to watch things grow and it gives us some peace if we have a lot on our mind or we need to think about something,” Gallagher said.
Clarrence Romaguera, 12, said he had done a lot of shovelling and planting to prepare the garden. He’s graduating this year, but said he plans to come back and visit what he’s worked on.
“It’s like freedom — you can go anywhere you want and enjoy nature,” Romaguera said.
Coun. Tony Caterina, a supporter of the project who was at the ceremonies, said the new learning area will have educational benefits for the students.
“It’s a wonderful day to extend students’ educational opportunities outside of the classroom, making the process more enjoyable, accessible and therefore more effective,” Caterina said. “It’s not only about what we want our children to know, but also what we want them to be.”
Rebecca Lippiatt-Long, chair of the parent council, said that the project “seemed like crazy hippie talk” when it was first proposed. Her two sons, Isaac and Gabriel, attend the school.
“Seeing the community come together is just incredible,” Lippiatt-Long said.
At the opening ceremony, Wynn and the students thanked everyone who contributed to the development of the natural learning grounds.
“We’re part of this community and we felt we should give something
“We want them to foster a love of it, and a big part of it is the stewardship; this is a way for them to be empowered.” PRINCIPAL JOANNE WYNN
back,” explained Brenda Whalen with the Rebekahs, a service group that donated funds to the school. “This is fantastic.”
Some classes have already been held at the classroom areas, said Grade 3 teacher Danielle Baril.
“It was kind of hard at first,” Baril said, adding that managing a class of kids outdoors has become easier over time.
“They love the change of atmosphere, the fresh air.”