The School Board’s Grounds Services have finished the surprise installation of the area for our new outdoor learning space and they have agreed to pay for the cost of it in its entirety.  While we were not expecting to have the installation of a fence happen for some time yet, the fact that it is now done allows us to focus on how to complete and beautify this important learning space.  Our Kindergarten Team have been looking at examples of defined outdoor learning areas around Waterloo Region and beyond and we’d like to share some of the rationale for the space and share ideas for what the space could become over time.  Staff have been working with School Council to help bring the dream of this space to reality.  There is much left to do!

The attached picture shows the area and answers some questions people have been wondering Pic 1

Here is a summary of the rationale for choosing this space and the materials we have been supplied with for it:

  • The fence defines the space and will serve as a wall surface upon which many materials will be hung and displayed — chain link was chosen as the material because it offers the greatest flexibility in attaching things to it
  • Staff have been seeking a separate outdoor learning area from the play area behind the school to help students keep the purpose of the area clear in their minds — recess free play and Extended Day play will still occur in the area behind the school
  • The area in front of the school best provides dry ground space —  our back kindergarten play area has problems with long-lasting wetness after rains and winter melt — this problem has been attributed to the school being built on the site of a former marshy area
  • We chose the location for the learning area so that the vast majority of the space is shaded for young sensitive skin
  • Safety — a defined space, much like a classroom with walls and doors, defines space for students within which to stay
  • Security — as the space has more material invested in and attached to it, that investment will be in a highly-visible area — we’ve had some challenges with vandalism of materials left behind the school out of sight from those passing by

Some of the enhancements staff hope to bring to students in the space include a growing space for plants, a mud kitchen, a meeting circle, a bridge, blackboard surfaces, art wall space, a wooden teepee, a stage, multipurpose benches, a music wall and more.

Here are some pictures of the kinds of items we’d like to introduce into the space:Pic 2 Pic 3 Pic 4 Pic 5 Pic 6 Pic 7 Pic 8Pic 9 Pic 10 Pic 11

We will also monitor the condition of the grass, potentially adding a long-lasting ground cover.  One possibility would be wood chips like the ones we presently have around our playground structures behind the school.  More options will also be considered.

Watch as the space grows and improves over time.