Glacier Ridge Elementary Receives Outdoor Classroom Grant

Submission by District 47

This spring Glacier Ridge students will take part in a beautification project at the school thanks to a grant received from The Wildflower Preservation and Propagation Committee (The WPPC) to help fund plans for an outdoor courtyard garden.

Third grade teacher Libby Leman wrote and submitted a grant proposal for the project to The WPPC in November 2015. In December, Nancy Gonsiorek, former D47 school board member and active member of The WPPC, emailed Leman to let her know that Glacier Ridge was chosen to receive the grant.

“The WPPC is proud to award Glacier Ridge this outdoor classroom grant,” said Gonsiorek, “and we know that Libby’s energy and enthusiasm will contribute to a successful project. We are thrilled by the interest of the entire team at Glacier Ridge, and their support of our objectives of getting the kids outside to learn first-hand about our native flora and fauna, and the natural history of McHenry County.”

The WPPC has awarded a similar grant to Husmann Elementary and is into its fifth grant cycle with Hannah Beardsley in support of a retention pond project spearheaded by Gonsiorek and science teacher Carol Sevrey.

Leman claims her inspiration for the outdoor classroom project began several years ago when she and fourth grade teacher Gretchen Thomas contemplated the possibilities during a summer class they took together. “Ever since Glacier Ridge opened as a new school, I’ve imagined how beautiful the courtyard could be,” she said.

Later that same year, Leman took a class called Earth Partnership with Schools offered through the McHenry County Conservation District and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which provided a $125 grant and a wealth of information on native prairie plants. During the class, Leman met Carol Sevrey, who shared her prairie garden expertise with Leman as did WPPC committee member and former teacher Kris Hall, who helped Leman map out a plan for the garden. To round out the idea, a Glacier Ridge parent graciously donated funds for a water fountain. “It seemed like one challenge after another melted away,” Leman said. Finally, last spring, with the help of some Hannah Beardsley students, approximately 30 plants were planted as part of phase one of the courtyard project.

Leman said her students have already had an opportunity to observe two life cycles of the Monarch butterfly. “My third graders were excited to learn about the various plants that attract and host Monarch butterflies,” said Leman. “We were amazed to observe two Monarch caterpillars form chrysalises and metamorphose into butterflies on one young rose milkweed plant already this past fall!”

With the help of this year’s third grade students, Leman said she expects to add approximately 120 more plants this spring. In preparation for that, students will be identifying plants for stakes in the garden and art students will help decorate them.

Each year, Leman plans to continue to look for opportunities to help fund additional plantings for the courtyard, which will be enjoyed by both staff and students during lunch breaks and teacher read-alouds, and will also be used by students for observation and journaling. To further enhance the courtyard, Glacier Ridge is conducting a plastic recycling drive through Trex, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of composite decking materials, with the goal of receiving a bench for the new garden.

“Going forward, this is about our Glacier Ridge community working as a team across grade levels, positions, and volunteer groups to establish an ongoing outdoor learning environment where skills from all curriculum areas can be applied,” said Leman. “It’s a hands-on opportunity for students to care for the earth and learn about restoring native prairie and woodland plants. We are deeply appreciative to The WPPC and our Glacier Ridge community for their support of this exciting project.”