| Create a Stepping Stone |
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You can create a personalized stepping stone for the garden. Stepping Stone Info & Order Form |
Outdoor Classroom
& Garden
We have BIG plans for the Kennydale campus!
It all started with the desire for an outdoor classroom space... which led to a walk-thru of the entire campus
and ideas for taking advantage of several under-utilized outdoor spaces that could provide interactive learning
environments and opportunities for community-building.
Goals
Our goals for the school garden project are to provide a variety of outdoor learning environments which assist in:
- Making abstract concepts more concrete via hands-on activities
- Building on kids' natural curiosity about the outdoors
- Providing active learning experiences
- Providing a change of pace and place that makes learning more meaningful
- Aiding science, technology, engineering, math, arts, language, and environmental discovery
How you can help
A draft master plan was developed over the summer, but there is still time for you to share your creative ideas and experiences to help shape the design of the outdoor classroom and learning garden! To become more involved, you can:
- Join the garden committee
- Connect with project chairs Amy Roberts and Jean Stearns
- Stop by the garden project table at any of the following events:
- KNA Neighborhood picnic on September 7
- Kennydale back-to-school BBQ on September 9
- Curriculum Night on September 15
Material Donations are Needed
We are also starting to gather tools and supplies for the learning garden. We would LOVE any donations of materials, labor, design or construction advice, or tools.
| Gardening supplies on the wish list include: |
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We also have room for: |
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| And classroom backpack supply materials: |
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| *Backpacks will be assembled to aid in discovering and documenting the exciting changes in the learning garden throughout the school year. |
Master Plan
Our Master Plan for the Kennydale grounds consist of 3 phases of development.
Phase 1—Outdoor Classroom & Garden
Phase 1 is specifically for the OutDoor Classroom & Garden, as described above. We broke ground in August with the construction of 3 raised beds located on the west side of campus (behind the ball field).
A design has been sketched (see above), but is subject to change as new ideas come in.
Phase 2—Interactive Garden
Ideas for this space, located on the west side between the track and sound wall, are for interactive play & discovery components. This would be an area where it's okay to pick the flowers, climb on rocks and logs, or sit to read a book. It might include a giant chess board, bocce ball court, labyrinth, or model of our solar system, in addition to plantings, art, and seating (imagine, a place to sit while watching those early Saturday morning soccer games!). Let us know your ideas!
Phase 3—Community Garden Pea Patch
We would like to build more of a community-oriented atmosphere on campus, a gathering place for the neighborhood as well as our students and families. Both the learning garden and interactive garden begin this process, but we think we can also utilize the space on the perimeter of campus, between the 2 chain link fences, for a community pea patch garden. Community members could rent garden beds to utilize throughout the growing season. There would also be opportunities for gardeners to 'adopt' a classroom and assist that class in the learning garden during the school year.
Future Expansion
We looked at other areas on campus as well for future expansion of our outdoor-enhanced learning and community-based environments. Down the road, these may take the form of a riparian habitat study area in the drainage area near the willow tree, expansion of the learning garden to the south, or a Kennydale history seatwall around the catalpa tree at the main entrance to campus. We have the opportunity -- as Kennydale students, parents, families and neighbors -- to explore so many options!
