Today's overscheduled children with busy itineraries simply don't
get outdoors enough; the Sullivan West community is hoping to eliminate
this trend by teaching children in an alternative classroom setting.
Children who are outdoors can't help but develop a better appreciation
of nature and in turn, they are likely to become future stewards of our
environment. The project was initiated last January with a $1,000 technology
grant from the Sullivan County Teacher Center. These start-up funds were
used to develop an outdoor space for teaching. A teacher survey was distributed.
Based on the results of the survey, a committee was formed to make decisions
about the features the outdoor classroom should include to best meet
the needs of our faculty. Because the nature of the grant was technology,
a digital camera and binoculars were purchased. Further, lumber was acquired
and high school students used technology to create cedar benches for
an outdoor seating area.
In late winter, the community group JEMS (Jeffersonville Enhances More
of Sullivan) was looking for a project idea. Since survey results indicated
that a nature trail was most desired by faculty, the JEMS group eagerly
began to work
on a nature and fitness trail on school property. Senator John Bonacic
was able to apportion $10,000 in state funds to assist the JEMS group
in their efforts.
Sullivan County BOCES students had hands-on experience operating heavy
machinery during class to clear a path nearly 3/4 of a mile that ultimately
would be used by Sullivan West's cross-country team, elementary students,
and all community
members. Sixteen additional cedar benches were built by high school students
to provide resting spots along the trail, and many community volunteers
worked at spreading mulch, trimming roots and branches, and constructing
a bridge.
Notification was received in late spring from Sullivan Renaissance
that the school would receive a $2,500 environmental demonstration grant.
This enabled work to begin on the next phase of the outdoor classroom.
Themed gardens were added, one for each grade level. The K-1 garden is
a sunflower house, which Kindergarteners planted in the spring and will
revisit in the fall as first
graders while reading Eve Bunting's Sunflower House story. First grade
planted a pumpkin patch to be harvested in second grade. A pizza garden,
a circular garden filled with tomatoes, basil, peppers, oregano, and
chives, was planted by 2nd graders. Third grade developed a butterfly
garden to further understand the life cycle of butterflies. Fourth grade
fashioned a garden with a New York State theme; the state flower, shrub,
fruit, and tree were planted. The garden also houses bluebird nest boxes
for the state bird, and plaster casts of beaver tracks to represent the
state mammal. Stepping stones with scallop shells and lady bug stakes
adorn the garden, and the state flag flies above. Fifth graders created
a colonial herb garden, while 6th graders planted a school colors garden,
complete with a bulldog statue to represent the school's mascot.
Many area businesses generously donated materials or discounted prices
to outfit the school's new outdoor classroom. An additional $2,000 was
secured by Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther to create an irrigation system
run by solar power. Fifth graders are taught about different forms of
energy in their science curriculum; they will have the experience of
creating and using a system to collect the sun's energy via solar panels
to run a submersible pump to channel water from a nearby stream to collection
barrels for watering the gardens. The outdoor classroom ties in nicely
with an entrance to the nature and fitness trail . . . there are countless
ways to educate our youth in the outdoors. Very favorable responses from
students, teachers, administration, and community members alike are evidence
that this project will enhance teaching and learning for years to come.
We are fortunate to live in an area that cares so much about preserving
the quality and beauty of our natural surroundings through exercise,
education, and community support.
— Kelly Erlwein
5th Grade Teacher
Sullivan West
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