DETAILS: Students from Northeast College High School approached staff and faculty of the school about an idea where they could expand and improve their school environment by using nature. Students and staff have shared a desire to access nature in order to improve both academic and social-emotional learning.
This project will include:
- 15 – 20 picnic tables where students can be outside connecting with nature
- A performance/yoga platform
- A learning classroom which includes a round pergola, planter posts, and sun shades
- Garden beds where students can grow vegetables
- A shed to house gardening tools
- Stone/gravel for the creation of a walkway
Students will use the outdoor space for yoga on "Wellness Wednesday's," and they will also have access to the picnic tables at lunch time. Classrooms will be available for sign out and use every class period by teachers at both Northeast College High School and Northwest Junior High School.
To date, the Rochester Education Foundation has contributed $5,000 dollars to kickstart this project.
Through an additional fundraising campaign, e
nthusiasts of this project have pledeged to raise an addtional $5,000 dollars. This effort is just a week old, and more than half of that $5,000 dollar goal has already been reached.
On Saturday, students will be breaking ground for this project. They will be building picnic tables and a yoga platform, planting garden beds, and setting shade structures. Construction of the outdoor classroom space is expected to be complete sometime in June.
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